Public School Music Education
One Starfish at a Time
Brenda J. Clark, Ph.D.Presentation for TaylorvilleArea Arts CouncilSept. 2, 2010
Backward Glance
Early American Music EducationMassachusetts Law of 1647Music traditions transmitted orally Congregational singing involved “lining out”
and was of poor quality (no hymnals)Many people, especially ministers, expressed a
desire for improvementMany congregations almost split over the issueAround 1723, reformers won their point. Better
singers began to sit together in a group (choir)
Development of Singing Schools
Developed by Singing Masters to provide their services to cities, towns, and villages for a fee
Classes held for all ages wherever space was available
Singing master earned additional income by selling tunebooks
Singing schools satisfied both musical and social purposes
Helped to improve the quality of singing in church
Music Instruction in Public Schools
Lowell Mason – highly regarded Singing Master and composer, now regarded as the “Father of Music Education” taught music in Boston School (1838) on experimental basis. (Free)Persuaded the administration to include music in curriculum (supported by
taxes)
Music education since 1838
Has developed, matured, and flourishedMany excellent choruses, bands, orchestras,
small ensembles, soloists; general music classes
Adult population is not widely musically literate, appreciative, and participatory
Goals? Restrictive conditions impose limitsNotable exceptions – some regions of the U.S.
have strong musical cultures
1950s
TurmoilSocietal demands1957 – Sputnik IBasic skills – reading writing, math$$ poured into education to improve
curriculumArts weren’t excluded, but weren’t supportedPerceived as “frills”
1960s
Economic strength for educationBaby boom = increased enrollment = teacher
shortageEducational R & D sponsored by govt. grantsLots of social unrest, societal change
1970s
Oil prices upInflation = inadequate funding for local
schoolsState and federal gov. attention away from edEnrollments and SAT scores declinedPublic confidence in schools droppedEducation, business, industry, military, and
public called for reform“Back-to-Basics” movement
1980s
Federal gov had no authority over educationMost ed funding from the state and local gov.Fed gov. can identify problems, recommend
solutions, offer some (but never enough) funding, and encouragement
Other factors – # of school districts 130,000 to 16,000% of teachers in total staff 96% to 86%amount of school support from local gov. 83% to 43% population almost doubledper-student cost increased almost 500%
National Reports on American Education
A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform (1983) (minimally supported the arts)
Academic Preparation for College: What Students Need to Know and Be Able to Do (1983)
Research based - both reports indicated that the goals of education needed to be clarified
1990s
The enactment of federal legislation to adopt national educational standards
Provided a way to decide what knowledge students in all states should have.
Goals 2000: Educate America ActNational Standards in Music Education1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of
music2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied
repertoire of music3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments4. Composing and arranging music within specified
guidelines5. Reading and notating music6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music7. Evaluating music and music performances8. Understanding relationships between music, the other
arts, and disciplines outside the arts9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) (2001)Supports standards-based education reformRequires states to develop assessments in
basic skills to be given to all students in certain grades, if those states are to receive federal funding for schools
Standards are set by each individual stateSo, where are we today?
Scientific Research Shows…. Music Study Helps Young Minds Develop
Music is a basic building block of intelligencePlaying music develops critical neural
connectionsMusic and other arts involvement helps
average students transform into exemplary students
Is not always reflected in objective measures such as testing regimes
Research Reveals.... Strong Correlations Between Quality Music Education in School and ….
Academic achievementHealthy social developmentPreparation for the 21st century workplaceQuality of a young person’s life
Research Reveals…
Children taking music lessons improved more over the year on several memory skills tests….
….Than did children not taking music lessons
High School Music Makers’ Test Scores Higher…
UCLA tracked 25,000 students over ten years with U.S. Dept. of Education data
Music-making students outperformed non-musical peersResults same for all socioeconomic groupsScore higher on SATs
Average 57 points higher in verbalAverage 41 points higher in math
Music Students are High Achievers in College
Music majors are better readers
Music majors are the most successful medical school applicants
Music Making Develops Students in Many Ways
Better math skillsBetter social skills
Music Is a Core Subject
•Why, then, are arts programs among the first subjects to be considered for cuts as budgets get tighter?
Making the Case
Arts education opens another way of understanding the world in which we live.
Each academic subject presents a way of knowing and dealing with the world that is different from other areas.
Take a Stand
Supply facts that supports the study of music to everyone who influences public policy
Take the initiative in political leadership
Don’t give up class time for activities that are supposedly more worthwhile
Take a Stand
Don’t give up high visibility; showy programs may help to retain public support
Don’t offer to do more for less; quality suffers when teachers are spread too thin
Ask for the resources to do a good job
Strive for results based on your own determination and administrative changes that you can bring about
Dealing with Change
Change is inevitableUnderstand why change is occurringMay have unforeseen benefitsStep out of comfort zoneFind new sources of cheese
Implementation
Cooperation and support of all
Arts can have an impact on whole schools and entire communities
Study, practice, and appreciation of music does make a difference
Make a Difference
For some – change is inevitable – your cheese will be moved – so, what should you do?
Revisit goals – strive for a bright future
Cope with change by adapting quickly
Set off in new directions to find new cheese
Be a star thrower - -
One Starfish…..
or Piece of Cheese at a Time
Brenda J. Clark, Ph.D.Presentation for TaylorvilleArea Arts CouncilSept. 2, 2010