Atlanta Schools Cut Music Programs

[Heavy_Metal]

with the usual lame excuses:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/0 ... s-and-jobs#" target="_blank

[bort]

with the usual lame excuses:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/0 ... s-and-jobs#" target="_blank" target="_blank

Any cuts suck, but I think the letter from the superintendent seems to make a lot of sense.

[Three Valves]

with the usual lame excuses:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/0 ... s-and-jobs#" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Any cuts suck, but I think the letter from the superintendent seems to make a lot of sense.

It pretty much shuts down the entire histrionic nature of the headline.

Why isn't the headline retracted??

Why isn't the huge Atlanta school test score cheating scandal mentioned??

Daily KOS.

Never mind!!

[bisontuba]

While I disagree with his politics, he is spot on regarding this...FYI..mark

http://youtu.be/xpnoYOQ55I8" target="_blank

[b.williams]

That's why I switched from teaching music to teaching mathematics.

[Three Valves]

Does the notion that the headline has been refuted and proved false matter to anyone??

In our cluster planning and our move to a new operating system, APS has given clusters and schools more freedom and flexibility to choose how they staff their schools in order to meet the specific needs of their students. This includes the decision about which arts and music instruction to offer students.

For example, if principal A observed high interest in band over orchestra in their elementary school, that principal could choose to enhance the band program and remove the orchestra program. If principal B saw a growing interest in visual arts, principal B could decide to invest more in visual arts, eliminating band and orchestra. If principal C was interested in enhancing band and orchestra programs, principal C could choose to increase school class sizes in order to offer a more robust fine arts program.

Thus, it is incorrect to state that APS is taking away band and orchestra from schools. We are giving schools the choice to incorporate these fine arts as part of their general music instruction, which includes chorus, music appreciation, introduction to instruments, etc. and to be the masters of their master schedules. At the elementary level, all of our schools must provide general music, but band and orchestra are optional offerings. As outlined by both APS and state standards, band and orchestra are offered as elective classes in all APS middle and high schools. In regards to other fine arts, we will provide, at the minimum, visual arts at all school levels— adding performing arts in high school.

[Heavy_Metal]

Does the notion that the headline has been refuted and proved false matter to anyone??

Headline: Atlanta Public Schools eliminate elementary music programs and jobs

Supported by the following from their own empty suits:

"Next school year, there will be 10 fewer band teachers and eight fewer orchestra teachers."

".... others (schools) did make the decision not to offer band and/or orchestra"

Far from being "proved false", this article describes a substantial reduction in musical education opportunities in the Atlanta public schools. And this begs the question: if a student is interested in music but that student's neighborhood school has no music program, does the student get to go to a different school?

Or not?

But I bet there's plenty of money for football.

[THE TUBA]

And this begs the question: if a student is interested in music but that student's neighborhood school has no music program, does the student get to go to a different school?

At the elementary level, all of our schools must provide general music, but band and orchestra are optional offerings. As outlined by both APS and state standards, band and orchestra are offered as elective classes in all APS middle and high schools.

[Heavy_Metal]

Now, supposing this particular student was interested in actually playing music, but the school did not have a band or orchestra program: Would that student be able to go to a different school to follow his or her musical interest, or not? Take the empty suits with a few grains of salt, and ask how would this work in actual practice?

If the answer was effectively no, then that would reduce the number of students who could play in middle- and high-school bands/orchestras. We all know what would happen- these would be the next to go. This so-called flexibility is just a way to eventually eliminate programs like this- if a school discontinued a band program and later wanted to re-start it, most likely that principal would be told the money wasn't available.

I would assume most of us started playing in school. I was particularly lucky, coming up through a music program of sufficient quality that when I was in high school, our band was chosen to represent the state of Maryland in the Bicentennial Parade in Philadelphia (yes, I marched in that parade- I really am that old). As kids this was a Big Deal for us, and it would never have happened without excellent, dedicated teachers starting in elementary school (today, things have gotten so bad that my old high school couldn't even get a band together for the town's Fourth of July parade last year. And our new governor made substantial cuts to education funding this year Don't blame me, I voted against him.).

I wouldn't want to be a parent in Atlanta right now.

[Heavy_Metal]

And BTW, bloke- I suspect that a substantial part of your business comes from school systems (as it does at Baltimore Brass- they always get very busy in the summer with school instrument repairs), and amateur or semi-pro musicians. With school systems cutting music, therefore owning fewer instruments that would need work, and turning out fewer people who will pursue music as a profession or hobby, where would that leave guys like you?

[Donn]

turning out fewer people who will pursue music as a profession or hobby

It would be interesting to get numbers on this. Adults who actually play, however much they might or might not be paid for it: were they "turned out" by school programs?

Or would it be more accurate to say a few of them survived school programs? If maybe 1 out of 4 adult players didn't play in high school band, I'd say that suggests the latter. I doubt the percentage is actually that high, especially with all the community band and orchestra programs that essentially carry on with the high school band experience, but that isn't numbers, just guessing. If you throw out "pay to play" situations, I bet you'd get closer to the 1 out of 4 mix, but that's immaterial to instrument repairmen - pay-to-play players probably account for plenty of instrument repair and maintenance.

[Three Valves]

Sorry.

When I see "cut" I hear "eliminated"

Local schools and communities need to prioritize their programs.

I was fortunate to live in a community that saw fit to include band and orchestra from grades 5-12

I still think of band trips whenever I smell bus diesel exhaust!!

[tbn.al]

i am familiar with one of the affected programs. It was in an elementary school of 600+ students and there were only 11 in the band program. These are electives in addition to the regular elementary music classes. I don't see how you can justify spending $20,000+(half time position) for 11 kids. The district allowed them to participate in another program close by and reassigned the teacher. No big deal folks.

[Heavy_Metal]

i am familiar with one of the affected programs. It was in an elementary school of 600+ students and there were only 11 in the band program. These are electives in addition to the regular elementary music classes. I don't see how you can justify spending $20,000+(half time position) for 11 kids. The district allowed them to participate in another program close by and reassigned the teacher. No big deal folks.

See if they're still letting them do that in five years..............

[Three Valves]

btw, if you still own a house in one of these bankrupt cities, that makes you a "stockholder".

Reminds me of the Andy Griffin episode when a citizen uncovers a Civil War era Muni Bond he threatens to cash and bankrupt Mayberry.

[Biggs]

...During my pre-age-21 educational system interaction (elementary/secondary/kolij)... no toilet paper...

As someone who intentionally 'scheduled' myself to poop at school, this is a disturbing notion.

[Three Valves]

We had that institutional individual 3in square TP in elementary school.

How unsanitary!!

Wound up with poop-finger nearly every time.