CORAL GABLES, Fla. (February 26, 2015) -- Across the country music teachers believe that factors at the school level have the greatest impact on their programs. Matters beyond the school are not seen as having a significant influence on their programs, even though district, state and national educational policies have an effect on music education; according to a new study published in the Journal of Research in Music Education.
Although prior research has found that state and national policies have had a negative effect on art programs in schools, and may explain decreases in art course offerings, participation and instructional time; the current study shows that only about half of the teachers felt that national education policies had an impact on their programs or positions. Some (28%) believed that these policies had a positive impact on music programs. Others (24%), thought they had a negative impact. But a large number of music teachers (48%) felt that national policies had no impact at all.
"The findings imply that music teachers are not fully informed of the ways policy from the state and national level impacts their work," said Carlos Abril, director of Undergraduate Music Education at the University of Miami Frost School of Music and lead investigator of the study. "This knowledge is imperative in order for them to be proactive in advocating for music in the school curriculum."
Across the country, teachers see factors at the school level, such as scheduling and instructional contact time as having the greatest negative impact on their programs."Many music teachers are being given extra duties, outside of their subject area, and less planning time than their non-arts counterparts," Abril said. "The impact of these factors has implications on music teachers' ability to plan meaningful lessons and to effectively teach children," he said. "The stakes are higher than ever for music teachers, whose evaluations are or may soon be linked to student performance on district or state music assessments."
In the study, a random sample of 374 elementary music teachers, from around the country, were asked to complete and return anonymously a survey that measured their perceptions of their music programs and their teaching positions.
In addition to scheduling and instructional contact time, music teachers reported school facilities, school administration and budgets as having a significant impact on their professional lives. When asked who or what was critical to maintaining or improving their programs and positions, the school principal was cited as the most prevalent factor.
In response, most of the teachers (90%) took actions aimed at influencing attitudes within the school community. For example, using performances to showcase the music program, communicating with school administrators and collaborating with teachers in their school. The teachers regarded these activities as the most effective in positively affecting their music programs.
Only two factors beyond the school level were seen as having a substantial and positive influence in their positions--coordinating and collaborating with other music teachers in the region and national or state music education standards.
"The music teachers in my district meet and discuss methods, resources, and assessments regularly," one teacher said.
Knowing which steps have been most effective in positively impacting music programs and teaching positions is necessary for the careful use of teacher resources in terms of time, energy and expertise, the study suggests.
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The study titled "Perceived Factors Impacting School Music Programs: The teacher's perspective" is the first to examine, on a national level, the major problems music teachers are facing and what they are doing to reduce those problems. Julie K. Bannerman is co-author of the study. She's on the faculty at the Crane School of Music, at SUNY Postdam.
About Frost School of Music
The Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music is one of the largest and best music schools located in a private university in the U.S., and one of the most comprehensive and relevant in all of higher education. With over 700 students and 100 faculty members it a top choice for instrumental, keyboard and vocal performance as well as composition, music business, music education, music engineering technology, music therapy, songwriting, jazz, studio music, and more. It is one of two schools created in 1926 when the University of Miami was founded. The naming gift from Dr. Phillip and Patricia Frost in 2003 was a historic occasion. The mission of the Frost School of Music is to foster musical leadership by providing an innovative, relevant, and inspiring education; advance performance, creativity and scholarship; and enrich the world community with meaningful outreach and brilliant cultural offerings. The Frost School has pioneered new curricula and was the first in the nation to offer professionally accredited Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music Business and Music Engineering Technology, and was among the first to offer degrees in Music Therapy, as well as Studio Music and Jazz. Renowned for its Instrumental Performance programs, it is the home of the Frost Chamber Orchestra, Frost Symphony Orchestra, and Frost Concert Jazz Band and is a leader in vocal training with the Frost Opera Theater, Frost Chorale and other notable choirs.
Frost is the exclusive home of the Frost Experiential Music Curriculum which fully integrates performance, music history, ear training, and composition through chamber music and skills ensembles; the Henry Mancini Institute which provides Frost students with cross-genre performance opportunities in real-world professional settings; the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation's Ensemble Scholars program which provides free tuition, room and board to 19 academically strong and highly talented undergraduate music students; and the Bruce Hornsby Creative American Music Program which develops the creative skills of talented young artist/songwriters by immersing them in the diverse traditions of American songwriting.
Journal
Journal of Research in Music Education