05.01.2011

FOCUS ON ISSUES & DECISIONMAKING: An Overview of “Tips for Success: A HELPFUL Guide for Instrumental Music Teachers”

-- by Marcia M. Neel
Tips for Success: A Guide for Instrumental Music Teachers (newly revised by the Music Achievement Council) collects invaluable secrets and advice from leading music educators. It helps make music teachers’ jobs easier because it covers many topics neglected in formal teacher education programs. 

04.01.2011

FOCUS ON STUDENTS: It’s Time for a Rock and Roll Revolution in Music Education!

A movement is spreading across the country: children want to play instruments that are most relevant to their lives, such as the electric guitar and the drum set. 

03.01.2011

FOCUS ON ISSUES & DECISIONMAKING: Candidate Surveys Make the Arts Matter

-- Sibyl O’Malley

In fall 2010, the California Alliance for Arts Education surveyed school board candidates running for office in November in over forty California school districts.

02.01.2011

FOCUS ON ADVOCACY: Are You Using Social Media Yet to Support Music Education?

 Music educators and advocates everywhere are wisely taking advantage of the many opportunities to learn from and connect with each other through social media. Educational social media is not a new phenomenon, but rather something that has “newly” bloomed into an incredibly organized set of resources. Social media networks offer another way to deepen and share the impact of quality music programs on students everywhere.

01.01.2011

FOCUS ON ISSUES & DECISIONMAKING: Statewide Partnership Model to Upgrade K-16 Music Education is Underway in WV

Despite diminishing budgets, school districts nationwide are under extreme pressure to produce results on narrowly focused standardized tests. And yes, attempts to push the arts out of schools are occurring. But even under these difficult circumstances, school districts that choose to prioritize the arts for their students are able to offer, build and grow these programs.

One strategic new statewide model, if successful, may provide an example to be replicated across the country. Here’s how it’s evolving…..

12.01.2010

FOCUS ON ADVOCACY: The Power of Persistence – Building Community Support for Music Education

-- by Jim Harmon 
For the past 11 years, I have been the music supervisor for Loudoun County Public Schools in Northern Virginia. I also serve as the Stonewall District representative to the Frederick County, Virginia school board, a position I have held for four years. 

11.01.2010

FOCUS ON ISSUES & DECISIONMAKING: Why Creativity Matters

-- by Bob Morrison

On November 15-17, 2010 leaders from around the world will converge in Oklahoma City for the 2010 Creativity World Forum. This global event will explore how creativity and innovation drive commerce, culture and education, and will feature some of the world’s greatest thinkers in this area such as The New York Times best-selling author Daniel Pink (“A Whole New Mind;” “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us”) and the noted read more...

10.01.2010

FOCUS ON ADVOCACY: NOW MORE THAN EVER…

…Now is the time to let your voice be heard about the importance of music education for every child. Budget cuts for schools across the country have caused concerns about support for school music programs: At least 46 states were struggling to close shortfalls when adopting budgets for FY 2011, which began July 1 in most states. These shortfalls came on top of large shortfalls in 48 states in the two previous fiscal years (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities).

09.03.2010

FOCUS ON STUDENTS: Award-winning Students Express Why Music Education is Key to a Well-Rounded School Curriculum

By Debra Bresnan

“The life of the arts, far from being an interruption, a distraction, in the life of the nation, is close to the center of a nation’s purpose – and is a test to the quality of a nation’s civilization.” -- President John F. Kennedy

08.10.2010

FOCUS ON ADVOCACY: The Real “Crisis” in This Budget Crisis

-- by Tracy E. Leenman, chairperson of the South Carolina Coalition for Music Education

Virtually 100% of our nation’s schools currently face the same budget crisis. Yet this “crisis” is an opportunity for school boards and administrators to take a fresh look at our educational goals, policies and practices, and to re-evaluate what is truly important and what truly works. It’s an opportunity to re-define what comprises “the best possible education for our children.”

Northwestern University's Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory

Advantage of Playing an Instrument

Carolyn Phillips

Twelve Benefits of Music Education

Michael Posner and Brenda Patoine

How Arts Training Improves Attention and Cognition

Fran Smith, Contributing Editor, Edutopia

Why Arts Education is Crucial and Who Is Doing It Best

VH1 Save The Music Foundation

25 Things You Can Do Today

Debra Viadero

Insights Gained Into Arts and Smarts