Thursday, 2 June 2016
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
Response from VSB Regarding Elimination of Elementary Band and Strings Programs
Below you will find the response from the VSB to an email sent from the CMEBC regarding the Elementary Band and Strings Program:
On Monday, April 25th, you sent an email to the Vancouver Board of Trustees, outlining your concerns with the proposed elimination of the optional Elementary Band and Strings programs in 44 of our elementary schools. You also expressed concerns with “the state of elementary music education overall in the VSB, including the band and strings program.” You had two specific questions that you asked be answered. Staff have provided the answers to those questions below.
Do you have evidence-based documentation that EVERY student in EVERY elementary school is receiving a quality music education from K-7, and how have you measured this?
Other than report cards, there is no district level mechanism that documents whether or not every student receives music instruction, just as there is not that type of district documentation for any other subject area. What does exist is the BC Ministry of Education’s requirements for curriculum instruction (example: Grade 2 Arts Education curriculum document: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/arts-education/2), as well as the Ministerial Order for Areas of Instruction which states:
Required Areas Of Study In An Educational Program Order
Each school year a board must offer to all students in kindergarten to grade 7, an educational program that meets all the learning outcomes set out in the applicable educational program guide in
(a) Language Arts
(b) Social Studies,
(c) Mathematics,
(d) Science,
(e) Physical Education,
(f) Fine Arts/Arts Education (Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts),
(g) Health and Career Education, and
(h) Daily Physical Activity
There is also the Ministry of Education Reporting Order, which states:
With respect to reporting in Fine Arts, the student progress report must, in relation to the expected learning outcomes set out in the curriculum, include reporting, at least once during the school year, in each of the following specific areas of the curriculum:
(a) dance, (b) drama, (c) music, and (d) visual arts.
In addition, teachers are asked to have and share overviews of their year’s teaching plans with their school administrator and parents. These overviews help to ensure that all subject areas are taught and the concepts covered in a deliberate and thoughtful manner.
It should also be noted that Dr. Overgaard’s 2014-15 survey of Vancouver schools, referred to in the same April 25 email from CMEBC, outlines that 58% of the 77 K-7 schools have trained music specialist in their schools. Another 18% of these same schools have Music specialists as classroom teachers who teach Music in other teachers’ classes as well as their own. 71% of the schools surveyed rated their Music programs as “good” to “excellent”.
Do you have evidence-based documentation that the generalist teachers responsible for teaching music are capable and comfortable teaching music?
Again, there is no district mechanism to verify that teachers are capable of teaching a specific subject area at the elementary level when they are hired to teach in a regular classroom position. It is assumed that after having successfully completed the coursework and practica required by University Teacher Education programs, these classroom teachers are ready and able to teach all subject areas at their grade level. When teacher evaluations are conducted, the evaluator (usually the school administrator) will observe the teacher teaching a variety of lessons, and Music can be one of the subject areas observed.
For those teachers who feel that they need additional support in specific curricular areas, including Music, there are a variety of resources that they can access. Support for both Elementary Generalists and Music Specialist Teachers can take place in 4 ways:
· Professional Development Opportunities on Pro D Days
· Clinician classroom visits
· Mentoring by a specialist from another school
· Involvement with an external organization
Professional Development
Professional Development is the main type of support to music teachers. Pro D Days are advertised on the website and alternate with support for elementary art and drama workshops. The February Pro D Day is typically a “music day” with a variety of workshops, opportunities for learning, and keynote speakers. Workshop titles include:
· K – 3 Elementary Music: Music making with Song, Play and Movement
· A Seasonal Celebration of Songs and Activities for Primary Teachers
· Lifting Primary Voices in Song
· 4 -7 Elementary Music for Generalists: Creating Fun Music
· Lessons for Intermediate Students
· K- 7 Elementary Music for Everyone: Music and Movement
· Music Matters Incorporated
· Music, Movement and Mindfullness
· Kodaly Workshop
· Music, Movement and Mindful Awareness of Overall Musical Experience
· Music Movement and the Mind
· Singing Games for Intermediate Generalists
Clinician Classroom visits
Clinicians go to classrooms upon request of the teacher or principal. Clinicians bring in their own resources or work with commercial resources
Mentoring by a Specialist Teacher From Another School
The mentor will work with the teacher’s class while the teacher is observing or the teacher will observe the mentor teaching his/her own class. Resources are shared.
Involvement With an External Organization that Provides Support
This type of collaboration usually works on a cost sharing basis and the organization will provide clinicians/artists/programming that involves both the classroom students and teacher in learning. However the number of schools is limited as only a few can be funded each year.
Examples of organizations that work with generalist teachers:
· VSO Connects Program
· Opera in the Schools Program
· Sarah McLaughlan School of Music
· UBC Faculty of Education
· Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra
We appreciate your interest in and support for the Music Education programs in our schools and hope that this information will be helpful to you.
Sincerely,
Mike Lombardi
Chairperson
Sunday, 10 April 2016
Fanfare A gathering to save Elementary Band & Strings in the Vancouver School Board
Fanfare
A
gathering to save Elementary Band & Strings in the Vancouver School Board
When: Tuesday,
April 12, 2016 from 6pm-7pm. Please arrive at 5:50.
This is immediately
prior to the board meeting where the public can offer input regarding the budget
proposal.
Where:
Vancouver
Tech Secondary- Meet in Penticton Street staff parking lot.
Who: EVERYONE
who wants to help save the Elementary Band & Strings program. Students,
parents, concerned citizens.
What: This
is an opportunity to pool our resources and advocacy efforts in support of the
Band & Strings program and elementary music education in the VSB. We hope
to bring together as many people as possible to perform, advocate and make a
statement to the VSB that our community values and insists upon quality
music education for ALL students. The Coalition for Music Education in BC is
helping to facilitate this event, as requested by parents and students. It is
purposely not called a protest, but it is meant to be a statement celebration
of a cause that is important to many.
How: You
may choose to perform with classmates and friends, or to carry a sign or poster
for school board members and the public to see. We want to be visible and
strong! Plan your performance ahead of time- bring instruments and music
and bring your own posters (sample attached including “I’d Rather Play” logo).
Music stands will be provided. If it rains, an indoor location will be
announced upon arrival. We encourage everyone to stay for the following board
meeting to support the many people who will be speaking for the Band &
Strings program.
Wednesday, 6 April 2016
An Open Letter to the Vancouver School Board Regarding the 2016-2017 Proposed Budget Cuts
Dear Mr. Lombardi and the
Vancouver Board of Education Trustees:On behalf of the Coalition for Music Education in British Columbia, my name is Christin Reardon MacLellan, and I once again write on behalf of students, teachers, parents, community members, arts organizations and industry partners who are fiercely opposed to the proposed cuts to music education in this year’s budget proposal. We implore the VSB to remain committed to their 2014 promise of finding a long-term, sustainable solution for the Elementary Band and Strings program as well as an equitable approach to music education more broadly in the school district. We also implore you to retain the district’s Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator position.
The Coalition for Music Education in BC has closely followed
the course of action concerning music education in the VSB in recent years. We
have responded swiftly on a number of occasions and participated in
consultation process during the 2014-2015 school year. All previous
documentation of our correspondence can be found here: http://www.cmebc.org/blog.html.
Despite the powerful advocacy that has taken place in
support of music education in the VSB, here we are again. This is the fifth
time in the last seven years that music programs have been threatened. Regardless
of advocacy efforts, stakeholder values, research, curriculum, and policy, we
are presented with the same old story- the VSB can’t fund music education in
elementary schools. We acknowledge the widely held belief that the province of
BC underfunds education. The CMEBC understands the financial predicament facing
school districts and is committed to advocating for increased music education
funding across the province. This letter, however, focuses on the VSB’s choice
to slash music programs again this year.
The value of music education is a topic that continuously
gains merit, validity and traction. A growing body of research supports the
benefits of music education on cognitive development, socio-emotional growth,
and academic achievement. More than ever before, we have data that supports
music’s transformative abilities on individual learning and development as well
as on topics related to culture and society. In previous years, the CMEBC has
shared with you specific benefits of learning music in an instrumental
ensemble, including non-verbal communication, self-expression through an
instrument, development of fine motor skills, positive social interactions, and
participation in the creation of something bigger than oneself. Most
importantly, as you well know, these benefits occur simultaneously in
ensemble-based learning.
Surely, the Vancouver School Board understands the value of
the Elementary Band and Strings program and its potential to thrive as part of
a larger plan for music education in the district. As a direct result of the
community’s 2014 advocacy efforts, the VSB hired a consultant (Dr. Valerie
Overgaard) to explore sustainable solutions for the Elementary Band and Strings
Program, as well as music education more broadly in the district. The consultant’s
report documented the decline in music education in the VSB over the last ten
years, explored how music education is offered in other Lower Mainland school
districts, addressed consultations with stakeholders, and perhaps most
importantly, concluded the following: “There is one point of consensus that
arose in this process. Music education is not only important, it is essential….This
includes band and strings, but extends more broadly to a general music
education program taught by a music specialist.” The report suggested that
“this process should be seen as a catalyst to enhance music education across
the district.”
Yet, we find ourselves, a year later, right back where we
started. It seems that the recommendations in this report and the initial steps
taken to implement these recommendations have been abandoned, with the entire
Elementary Band and Strings program once again up for elimination. We
understand that schools have faced challenges with implementing new plans for
this program, however we do not believe that ample time has been provided for
schools to work through these challenges, nor has the district demonstrated an
ongoing commitment to helping design and implement an equitable solution for
elementary music education across the district.
The Vancouver School Board needs to adopt a district policy
on music education that ties into its existing policy on arts education. The
inequities within music education in the VSB are deplorable and they exist
mostly in elementary schools. Only 58% of elementary schools have a music
specialist teacher. Approximately 25% of elementary schools have neither a
music specialist nor a band/strings teacher. In a recent survey, fewer than 50%
of principals described their school’s music program as high quality. This is
unacceptable. Furthermore, in many schools, the band and strings program is the
ONLY music education offered. So,
cutting band and strings would mean cutting music completely in those schools.
The VSB needs to fix elementary music education and the inconsistencies that
exist from school to school. An effective model must be established for all schools and all students that includes general music taught by a music
specialist as well as the opportunity for all students to participate in band
and strings. It’s time to invest in the personnel and resources necessary to
bring about change, rather than running from this problem and cutting programs.
The perception in the community is that senior administration and the school
board are more committed to the easy way out than to finding an educationally
sound solution for elementary music education. The district needs an advocate
from within and the time is now. Actually, the time was seven years ago, but
we’re still waiting.
It is necessary for us to once again address the issue of
music specialist teachers. Music cannot be taught by a generalist classroom
teacher unless that person has extensive training in music and music education
pedagogy. It is essential that teachers are literate in what they are teaching.
Music learning involves skills and techniques that are learned over time and
that require expert teaching. Placing music education in the hands of
non-specialist teachers is a gross over simplification and dumbing down of
music education. Music specialists are recognized by the BCTF and we encourage
the VSB to require music taught by music specialists across the district. This
model would not be a new concept. In 5 out of 9 Greater Vancouver school
districts, there is a music specialist teacher PLUS a band or strings teacher in every school. We strongly urge the
VSB to take the same leadership these other districts have taken by recognizing
the importance of music education and choosing to protect it.
This year’s budget proposal also recommends the elimination
of the district’s Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator. The CMEBC was
devastated to see Peggy Bochun’s position up for elimination, as the direct
impact on students is severe. Eliminating this position in addition to band and
strings means that our students lose out twice. The Coordinator is the
district’s lead liaison with the arts community. She is responsible for
community partnerships with countless arts organizations, coordinates district
festivals, fosters collaboration among the district’s fine and performing arts
teachers, organizes PRO-D, and manages a large amount of grant funding. The
loss of Peggy Bochun would be tremendous, and you won’t know what you’ve lost
until she’s gone. The CMEBC cannot stress enough how fortunate the VSB is to
have a professional like Peggy Bochun. She is not replaceable, and her position
is not expendable.
The Coalition for Music Education in BC implores the VSB to
remain committed to their promise of finding a long-term, sustainable solution
for the Elementary Band and Strings program as well as an equitable approach to
music education more broadly in the school district. We also implore you to retain the district’s Fine and Performing Arts
Coordinator position. These proposed cuts are a quick move to erase two budget
lines, but with serious consequences. As we have said before, it is time for
the VSB to CHOOSE MUSIC EDUCATION the way so many other school districts have
done. While we recognize that you are underfunded, I know that I speak for many
stakeholders in saying that we are sick and tired of music as well as many
other valuable programs and services being placed in the middle of your battle
with the current Ministry of Education and provincial government. Cutting band
and strings programs as well as the person who helps them thrive is a
destructive decision when the school district is in desperate need of a
complete overhaul of elementary music education. You are denying students of
essential learning opportunities and denying the community of what it has
advocated so passionately for.
A Call to Action
The Coalition for Music Education in BC urges parents,
students, community members, and concerned citizens to make their voice heard
in support of the elementary band and strings program in the VSB.
EVERY VOICE COUNTS and time is of the essence. The budget goes to vote
on April 28.
Please consider the following:
1.
Write to Mike Lombardi,
Chair of the Vancouver Board of Education Trustees, urging the board to retain
the Elementary Band and Strings program and Fine and Performing Arts Consultant
position, as well as to develop a district policy for music education that
offers all students equitable access to music education taught by a specialist
teacher. Email: mike.lombardi@vsb.bc.ca
2.
Attend and/or register to
speak at the upcoming Public Consultation Budget Meetings on Tuesday, April 12
(or Thursday, April 14 if required) by emailing budget
2016-2017@vsb.bc.ca
2016-2017@vsb.bc.ca
3.
Follow the Coalition for
Music Education in BC on Facebook and Twitter for updates and action items. www.facebook.com/cmebc; Twitter:@cmebc
4.
Share this information with
your friends, families, and neighbours and encourage them to make their voices
heard in support of school music education of our children.
Who we are:
www.cmebc.org
The Coalition for Music Education in British Columbia
Society (CMEBC) is a registered non-profit society made up of parents,
students, educators, arts organizations, and supporters from across our
communities whose mission is to protect, promote, and advance music education
in British Columbia.For questions or comments, please email president@cmebc.org
For Immediate Release: A Response & Call to Action regarding Vancouver School Board’s proposal to eliminate the Elementary Band and Strings program and Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator
The Coalition for Music Education in British
Columbia strongly opposes the recommended elimination of the elementary band
and strings program in Vancouver schools by the Vancouver School Board. We also
strongly oppose the elimination of the district’s Fine and Performing Arts
Coordinator position.
These recommended cuts in funding and
programming by the VSB will eliminate the opportunity for thousands of
Vancouver elementary students to learn to play a band or string instrument. The
educational benefits gained from participation in a school band or string
ensemble, taught by a qualified music specialist teacher, are not
replaceable with any other means of instruction. In an ensemble, students learn and develop non-verbal
communication, finite listening skills, self-expression through an instrument, fine
motor skills, positive social interactions, and participation in the creation
of something bigger than oneself. The study and practice involved in a music
ensemble enhances the human spirit in a truly unique way.
The Fine and
Performing Arts Coordinator is the district’s lead liaison with the arts
community, responsible for many educational partnerships, district
collaborations, and professional development. If the VSB is to meet the needs
of a 21st century education, community partnerships and professional
development for teachers are vital components. Eliminating this position would
have a severe impact on students.
The Coalition for Music Education in BC strongly
urges the Vancouver Board of Education Trustees to amend their proposed
budget, preserve funding for the elementary band and strings program and
Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator, and commit
to a more equitable approach to
elementary music education across the school district. The fabric of our unique
Canadian identity is directly tied to the rich experience in music education.
The less we provide our students, the weaker our society becomes socially,
emotionally, aesthetically and ethically.
Read our open letter to the VSB Board of
Education here: http://www.cmebc.org/blog.html
A Call to Action
The
Coalition for Music Education in BC urges parents, students, community members,
and concerned citizens to make their voice heard in support of the elementary
band and strings program in the VSB.
EVERY VOICE COUNTS and
time is of the essence. The budget goes to vote on April 28.
Please consider
the following:
1.
Write to Mike
Lombardi, Chair of the Vancouver Board of Education Trustees, urging the board
to retain the Elementary Band and Strings program and Fine and Performing Arts
Consultant position, as well as to develop a district policy for music
education that offers all students equitable access to music education taught
by a specialist teacher. (sample letter attached) Email: mike.lombardi@vsb.bc.ca
2.
Attend and/or
register to speak at the upcoming Public Consultation Budget Meetings on
Tuesday, April 12 (or Thursday, April 14 if required) by emailing budget2016-2017@vsb.bc.ca.
3.
Follow the
Coalition for Music Education in BC on Facebook and Twitter for updates and
action items. www.facebook.com/cmebc; Twitter:@cmebc
4.
Share this
information with your friends, families, and neighbours and encourage them to
make their voices heard in support of school music education of our children.
Who we are: www.cmebc.org
The Coalition for Music Education in British Columbia Society (CMEBC) is a registered non-profit society made up of parents, students, educators, arts organizations, and supporters from across our communities whose mission is to protect, promote, and advance music education in British Columbia.
A Letter from
Parents, Community Members and Concerned Citizens to the Vancouver Board of
Education Trustees
[This letter can be tailored to reflect your
own values, ideas, and views. It is suggested that you introduce yourself,
whether you are writing as a parent or concerned community member, and include
any other relevant personal details.]
I ask that you do not take instruments out of
the hands of our children, and that you withdraw your proposal to cut our elementary
band and strings program and Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator position.
Friday, 13 November 2015
A Response from the Coalition for Music Education in BC regarding CBC Music’s Canada’s Greatest Music Class Contest
The
narrow choice of music from which participants must choose is limited to pop
and closely related genres, which does not comprehensively represent all types of
music taught in Canadian schools and limits participation by school groups that
focus on genres besides pop. The pop-music-oriented vision for music education
that CBC Music seems to be promoting is a very limited aspect of school music
education. Moreover, regardless of genre,
music teachers across Canada are focused on musical content and concepts
that are more meaningful, inclusive and educationally responsible than the music examples CBC has selected.
As
highly trained professionals, music educators are selective and mindful of what
is taught in their classrooms. Value is placed upon music that lends itself
well to rich educational outcomes and student creativity. Great music classes
are not determined by their ability to cover a pop song. The ability to cover a
pop song is especially not representative of the GREATEST music class in
Canada. Rather, great music classes are defined by students understanding the
depth, power, and complexity of all types of music. There is a commitment to
quality, challenge, and creativity. The approach CBC has taken with this
contest cannot determine Canada’s Greatest Music Class, as the greatest music
classes in our country, fortunately, are not defined by this level of over
simplification and subjectivity.
CBC
Music has received criticism from many music educators, music professionals,
and concerned individuals, including students, who see serious flaws in this
initiative. Recommendations have included expanding the music choices, changing
the title, and changing the messaging associated with this contest. The CMEBC
hopes that CBC Music will take into serious consideration the criticism that
has been received and find a way to make this contest more amenable to the
teachers and students it seeks to involve. Furthermore, we would like to offer
our assistance for this and future initiatives. We would welcome the
opportunity to help CBC Music curate educational content that is in line with
the standards and common practices of our profession, and that will reach the
maximum number of students in meaningful ways. For those of us in the music
education community, we feel a great responsibility to nurture our art form and
see that it is portrayed truthfully and positively. We want to have the support
of CBC Music, but in turn we want CBC Music to seek support from us as well. We
are deeply committed to student learning and wish to be involved in
consultation and collaboration with CBC Music as much as possible.
_________________________________________________________________________
Join us in our campaign to protect, promote, and advance music education in BC! Become a Member at www.cmebc.org
Contact: info@cmebc.org
About the Coalition for Music Education in British Columbia
The CMEBC is an organization made up of parents, educators, students, arts organizations, and professionals from varying walks of life that support school music programs. The CMEBC’s mission is to protect, promote, advance and support music education in British Columbia. Our goal is to see that every child receives a well-rounded and balanced education that includes a comprehensive, sequential, quality program in music.
Sunday, 12 April 2015
A Response to the 2015-2016 Vancouver School Board Preliminary Budget Proposal
A Response to the 2015-2016 Vancouver School Board
Preliminary Budget Proposal
The Coalition for Music Education in British Columbia (CMEBC) stands firmly against the proposed cut to the Vancouver School Board’s Elementary Band and Strings Program of 3.8 FTE, unless this reduction implies that the Elementary Band and Strings Program will be restructured to create a model that retains the high quality band and strings program as well as cultivates a better general music education program at the elementary school level.
When faced with no other alternative, it is always better to reduce rather than eliminate programs, and we appreciate the effort of the VSB to sustain the Elementary Band and Strings Program as much as possible. If the budget passes as proposed, and funding for the 3.8 FTE cannot be secured, we are hopeful that the reduction in staff time from the program’s current model will create opportunities that will actually strengthen elementary music education in the VSB.
Each time the VSB has placed music on the chopping block, there has been an outcry in support of music education from a tremendous number of stakeholders. There is simply no denying that music education is valued and essential. The February, 2015 consultant’s report concerning music in the VSB documented this support and presented hard data and facts as to why music education must be preserved and strengthened. As the CMEBC recommended in our March, 2015 response to the VSB, the district needs to take leadership over their policy for arts education if music is to be taught effectively. District leadership that outlines requirements and expectations for the music program in every school is necessary. Short of leadership at the provincial level that mandates music taught by specialist teachers in every school, the next best thing is for leadership at the district level.
The CMEBC urges the VSB to use the proposed cut of 3.8 FTE in a meaningful way. The music specialist teachers comprising this 3.8 FTE are incredibly qualified, outstanding educators. It would be a tremendous loss to the district to reduce their teaching time or to lose any of these teachers. As music specialists, these teachers are qualified to teach elementary general music in addition to band or strings. This is a perfect opportunity to place a K-5 music specialist teacher in a greater number of elementary schools, staffed by prep time. If scheduled carefully and creatively, it would be possible for these teachers to teach band and strings in addition to elementary music.
We encourage the VSB to explore the prep time strategy suggested in the 2015-2016 budget proposal and work towards having a music specialist teacher in every elementary school. There is no substitute for music specialists. They are recognized by the BCTF and they are the ones with the pedagogical knowledge needed to implement the BC music curriculum. Generalist teachers are not qualified to teach music. Based on the data collected from VSB administrators in the February, 2015 consultant’s report, it is clear that music education is far from consistent and equitable across the VSB. Some schools have music specialists while others don’t. Some have a band or strings program while others don’t. It is also clear that when compared to many other Greater Vancouver school districts, the VSB is not meeting the mark for music education.
In our March, 2015 response to the VSB, the CMEBC suggested a three-phase, five-year plan that moves towards K-5 general music (including choir) and grades 6-7 band or grades 5-7 strings in every elementary school. The end goal is at least one music specialist teacher in every school and a comprehensive music program for all grade levels. With the appropriate leadership and commitment to music education, the VSB can accomplish this. It is time now to make the decision to get this work done. Simply cutting 3.8 FTE to balance the budget then abandoning the greater issue of music education in the district is regressive. There is an opportunity at stake here and we hope the VSB will give this opportunity the time and care necessary for the best interest of students.
The students of the VSB do not deserve nor can they afford any cuts to their music education. Music is not an expendable area of study. The CMEBC recommends that the VSB take action with the big picture in mind, considering long-term impacts of cutting music in the district. In closing, a quote we have shared before, from a university music student when asked his opinion on the VSB’s proposed music cuts: “Through any type of adversity, people naturally turn to music to express themselves. To remove music because of adversity is backwards.”
About the Coalition for Music Education in British Columbia
The CMEBC is an organization made up of parents, educators, students, arts organizations, and professionals from varying walks of life that support school music programs. The CMEBC’s mission is to protect, promote, advance and support music education in British Columbia. Our goal is to see that every child receives a well-rounded and balanced education that includes a comprehensive, sequential, quality program in music.
www.cmebc.org
Contact: info@cmebc.org
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