Practical Guidelines for Music Advocates
The following material summarizes analysis, research and discussion
by music teachers, administrators and music advocates. These people
came together at several meetings to share information about reductions
in school music programs that are proposed in school districts from
time to time.
Three questions were discussed during the meetings:
1) What aspects of the music program
seem to be targets for reduction?
2) What are the likely reasons for
proposing these particular cuts?
3) What are some effective arguments
in response to the proposed program cuts?
General Suggestions
Program Targets
Elementary instrumental
instruction
Reduced instruction
by specialist in elementary general music
Eliminate individual
or small group lessons in instrumental music
Reduce music
department supervisor or coordinator
Reduce or eliminate
middle school general music classes
Reduce instructional
time for middle and high school perfoming groups
General Suggestions
As music advocates become active in a school district and community, it is valuable to draw upon the experience of others. For instance:
An essential first step in communicating any of the following information is to decide who are the best advocates.
- It is clear that in most cases parents, students and other community members are the most effective advocates for the music program.
- A second step is to provide advocates with accurate, up-to-date information that includes local data as well as statements, opinions and research from state and national sources.
- General statements about the importance of music may not be effective if a proposed program cut is quite specific and affects only a portion of the program.
- It is important to focus specifically on the proposed cut and both the long range and short range impact the cut will have on students, the school and the community.
- Remind others that the U.S. Congress has identified music as a core subject on par with other "traditional studies."
- Finally, a comprehensive education demands a balance between creative/aesthetic experience and other academic studies.
Program Targets
Program Target: Elementary instrumental instruction
Possible Reasons for Proposing this Particular Program Reduction:
- Interruption in the school day.
- Less important than other "special" programs (reading recovery, counseling, etc.).
- Independence of "site-based" management.
- Equity (why should instrumental music begin before other opportunities).
- Save money (staff, equipment, supply reductions).
- Weak documentation of best age to begin instruction in instrumental music.
- Save classroom space.
- Instructional time is needed for other (high priority) academic subjects that are assessed.
- Dropout rate between beginning level and high school.
- Interruption in the school day
- School opportunities should be structured to meet student/parent interests rather than teacher/administrative convenience (relate to the "consumers").
- Research shows that "pullout" music programs do not have a negative effect on achievement. Students in music actually score higher on standardized tests at all levels.
- Impact on overall student development is very positive: auditory, perceptual, aesthetic, work ethic - both immediate response and long range response.
- Stress the value to the student.
- Music study positively influences achievement in other subjects.
- Reasons for beginning in elementary school
- Tends to involve parents more as partners in learning.
- Elementary school is physiologically appropriate for learning instrumental music.
- Does not interfere or compete with other opportunities which become available at middle school.
- Has great value and impact at this younger age.
- "Musical Intelligence" (Howard Gardner, Frames of Mind) needs to be developed at a young age.
- 4th & 5th grade students are ready for some kind of specialization in their learning.
- Comparison to other "special" programs
- Need to offer options to build on individual motivations and "special" intelligences.
- Need to provide equity of opportunity not based on social/cultural/economic factors.
- Need to provide an inclusive program, rather than exclusive.
- "Drop-out" Rate
- Each year of experience has value in itself.
- Some go on to other music experiences within the school or community.
- Save Money
- Look at the long term effects: eventual impact on middle and high school enrollment in music.
- Examine concept of John Benham's "Reverse Economics." In most cases, music teachers have a higher student-teacher ratio than other teachers. Who will teach the children who are no longer in music?
- Instructional Space
- Rooms used for elementary instrumental music instruction may also be available part of the time for other instruction or special needs.
Program Target: Reduced instruction by specialists in elementary general music.
Possible reasons for proposing this program reduction:
- Reduce staff and save money.
- Inability to find qualified/certified music specialists.
- Music can be incorporated into core subjects as a tool, and need not be taught separately.
- Trend toward integration of subject areas.
- This is the one aspect of the music program that touches all students. It is the basis for subsequent learning and interest in music.
- Music is an independent core subject. While it can support other studies, it requires an independent curriculum.
- Wisconsin is a good state in which to teach. Recruiting efforts can be broadened.
- The expertise of the music teacher brings unique experiences to students in music class and can also enrich other subjects.
- Refer to "Eliminating elementary instrumental instruction." Some of the same arguments apply.
Program Target: Eliminate individual or small group lessons in instrumental music.
Possible reasons for proposing this program reduction:
- Eliminate staff and save money.
- Interruption in schedule.
- Shortage of facilities for instruction.
- Unique instructional pattern in comparison to other subjects (special treatment).
- Refer to "Eliminating elementary instrumental instruction." Some of the same arguments apply.
- Uniqueness of music as a discipline and area of learning
- Instruction should be based on the optimum way to learn within a subject rather than forcing everything into one scheduling pattern.
- Equity is an important issue: Should music lessons only be available to those who can afford to pay for them by studying privately outside of school?
Program Target: Reduce music department supervisor or coordinator.
Possible reasons for proposing this program reduction:
- Reduce staff and save money.
- Perception in the community of "too many administrators."
- Perceived ineffectiveness.
- Lack of role definition.
- The role does not provide direct services to students.
- Coordination ensures the effective use of resources.
- Coordination of curriculum, instruction and activities is important.
- Expertise in hiring effective staff is important.
- Important to maintain standards through monitoring and supervision of programs.
- Need to provide leadership in curriculum development and unification.
- Initiating relevant staff development is important.
- Music is a unique discipline with special administrative needs within the school program (equipment, safety issues, visibility within the community).
- Traveling teachers must have their special needs met to be effective.
Program Target: Reduce
or eliminate middle school general music classes.
Possible reasons for proposing this program reduction:
- Apathy of current teaching staff.
- Redundant for those enrolled in choral or instrumental music.
- Reduce staff and save money.
- Not appealing to students.
- Instructional time is needed for other core studies.
- Wisconsin state education laws require that general music be offered in the middle school.
- Music offers a variety of options for exploration, consistent with middle school philosophy.
- Student interest is an argument for curriculum revision, not course reduction.
- Teacher disinterest is not a valid reason to deprive students of educational opportunity.
Program Target: Reduce
instructional time for middle and high school perfoming groups.
Possible reasons for proposing this program reduction:
- Present scheduling model doesn't work with block scheduling.
- There is need to allocate instructional time to "traditional core" subjects.
- Academic schedules should respect the learning needs of students in all subjects.
- Community expectations for student music performance require more student contact time - not less.
- Many schools have implemented block scheduling while maintaining some yearlong courses.
- The long term implications of this reduction will affect individual achievement, performing group quality, and ability to serve school/community events.