Klarinet Archive - Posting 000231.txt from 2002/09
From: "Forest E. Aten Jr." <forestaten@-----.com> Subj: Re: [kl] Music/Academics studies? Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2002 10:45:27 -0400
Richard,
Things are not healthy in many of our suburban/urban public school music
programs in Texas. The situation is not all that good in the rural areas.
Over 300 music education positions went unfilled in rural area public
schools last year. Know anyone who wants to teach music "in the sticks"....
As a matter of fact......things are really out of whack in many of our music
programs in Texas.
Parents have been fighting battles for moderation and balance for
years....without good result. Someone with clout is surely behind the
current battle. I wish them good luck. (and support)
Unfortunately the quality of music education has suffered for so long in
Texas, that people (parents and kids...and I am sure some administrators and
music teachers) can not separate clearly the obligation of the
school/teacher to teach music in the schools.....from the practice of
excessive participation in the world of entertainment. A world of
entertainment that the "native school, community, parent population" have
become conditioned to, and expect. School music programs in Texas have moved
more toward a primary objective of providing entertainment, this to the
exclusion of meeting curricular objectives (hey, or just plain good
teaching).
And of course....we have the problem of contests...and in the worst way.
It's a "win the blue ribbon" world here in Texas. Win by any means possible.
(by example: Texas politicians????....hahaha) Cheating, breaking the rules,
abusing the kids time....you name it. (Many of the music educators that
cheat, break the rules and abuse the kids time....find many ways to claim
"gray area" protection.) I have unfortunately seen some of the worst of it.
All of your points are very well taken.
Thanks,
Forest
---------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|