[Grovenet] An Important Matter
Ron D'Eau Claire
rondec at easystreet.com
Fri Mar 30 09:27:57 PDT 2007
How else do we determine if the schools are doing their job? It seems to me
we've always used test scores to determine that. What changed was that we
lost confidence in individual schools to administer appropriate tests and
respond accordingly. Decades ago many schools just pushed kids on out the
door after so many years regardless of tests, or they simplified the tests
to the point everyone could pass. So now we have national testing programs
that monitor the schools. How is that a failure of imagination?
No one is saying that music or orchestra or band is not good. What they are
saying is that, if the school is only able to do a few things, certain
studies must take precedence.
Ron D'Eau Claire
-----Original Message-----
From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com [mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com] On
Behalf Of Tracy Irwin
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2007 8:41 AM
To: grovenet at rdrop.com
Subject: Re: [Grovenet] An Important Matter
We all, at some point live and die by test scores. Driver's tests,
cholesterol tests, etc, etc etc. I guess I should have been more precise.
When there is no money, you quickly come up against a hard stop. When
people don't get paid they get stop teaching fairly quickly. Even the most
altruistic of us would need a source of income if we aren't independently
wealthy.
If it's test scores, they don't have to move it outside the school day. If
the student is in orchestra and wants to leave math class to play (this was
the case with both of my girls). Don't let the student leave if they are
not doing well in class. I bet you the orchestra students are not the ones
dragging the test scores down. if the orchestra kids are not the problem,
why is orchestra being constrained.
I should have said that this was about test scores which seems like a
colossal FAILURE of imagination. Put orchestra outside the school day and
you essentially eliminate all of the single parent families and the working
poor who don't have someone to stay at home and shuttle kids around. That's
just not fair. Break the chain in orchestra (and band) for two years and
the next thing you know there is not enough students to keep orchestra going
for NAMS and FGHS. I've already lived this scenario with the dual languange
program begun at Echo Shaw. The offerings we so poorly conceived and
executed that both of my girls dropped out after TMUES.
That's what Jack Musser, Susan Winterbourne and Al Rodgers need to hear.
_____
From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <rondec at easystreet.com>
Reply-To: Forest Grove local interests list <grovenet at rdrop.com>
To: "'Forest Grove local interests list'" <grovenet at rdrop.com>
Subject: Re: [Grovenet] An Important Matter
Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2007 19:52:36 -0700
>I agree Tracy. I studied engineering, physics and math, yet one of my
>fondest classes from High School was music. I studied music. I didn't learn
>to play. It was fascinating as has been my exposure to art. I've carried
my
>enjoyment of music through the years and I've managed to make a living as a
>graphics artist at times. There is no therapy as powerful for me in times
of
>great stress as going to the seashore with my sketch pad and pencil.
>
>Our class song in my senior year at High School was "We Will Have These
>Moments to Remember" and it was quite right. The Four Ladds signing that
>famous Stillman and Allen tune spoke the truth when they said that the
>memories of youth are things that do stay with us over the years.
>
>Test scores... sheesh I live by test scores. After most people would think
>they were through tests in school I - like many, many others - live and die
>professionally by how well we do on tests. Oral tests and written tests.
>Cunning tests designed to evaluate how well one can add up negative
>statements in 'trick' questions as well as know the material. I took dozens
>of them to earn my government licenses to service radio equipment, and now
>with new systems and treaties in place on the high seas I'm preparing for
>yet more with a stack of about 500 sample questions on my desk. I took
tests
>in the 1980's to be a Realtor in California, and then had to repeat them
>again in 2001 to be a Realtor in Oregon and every other year have to pass
>another handful of tests to keep that license.
>
>One of the first major tests I took was the SAT back in High School that
>determined my position applying for a college or university.
>
>As as consultant every time I meet with a new prospective client I'm in
>another "oral test" to see if I'm the right person for the job in their
>mind. Every person who looks for a job faces such tests, and which job they
>get - flipping burgers at the local diner or working as an executive in a
>corporation - has everything to do with how they have done on tests from
>school to the oral exam called the job interview.
>
>Tests may be "dumb". Many of them obviously are. But they're how we sort
out
>those who can from those who can't in our society.
>
>And these days they're how we sort out the schools who are doing their job
>from those who aren't. It's for the kid's protection we do that.
>
>If the tests are flawed, it's time to revise the tests or find a better
way.
>But, before this current craze in testing, we were calling kids "high
school
>graduates" who could not read, write or do simple arithmetic. At least now
>when we do that we know it's happening.
>
>Ron D'Eau Claire
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com [mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com] On
>Behalf Of Tracy Irwin
>Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2007 4:56 PM
>To: grovenet at rdrop.com
>Subject: Re: [Grovenet] An Important Matter
>
>
>
>I think it does matter, but I also think it will be a terrible shame to
lose
>this program. Both of my girls participate. I tried to figure out how
many
>students and I think it was over 400 district wide. That was based on who
>showed up at concerts, it may be more than that.
>
>Arts are basic, music is basic. This is a wonderful gift that public money
>is giving to the future governors or our world.
>
>The proposal to move the schedule is a failure of imagination, not
>necessarily a lack of money. My concern is that continuity will be lost at
>TMUES and students will not continue with music. It is life skill
enhancing
>to learn to work together as a group and studies have shown time and time
>again that math skills are sharpened by playing an instrument while young.
>
>This is not about money, it's about test scores. How dumb is that?
>
>
>
>
> _____
>
>From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <rondec at easystreet.com>
>Reply-To: Forest Grove local interests list <grovenet at rdrop.com>
>To: "'Forest Grove local interests list'" <grovenet at rdrop.com>
>Subject: Re: [Grovenet] An Important Matter
>Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2007 09:40:19 -0700
> >How is that, Ed?
> >
> >Marian asked what percentage of the students participate in a
> >publicly-funded student activity at the school and you say it doesn't
> >matter?
> >
> >Steve was very clear that his concern that moving band to an after-school
> >activity meant it would be easier to justify limiting funds for the
program
> >should budgets grow even tighter.
> >
> >Surely you don't advocate opening the public purse without asking how
many
> >benefit.
> >
> >Ron D'Eau Claire
> >
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com [mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com] On
> >Behalf Of Ed Davie
> >Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 10:53 AM
> >To: redwagon at coho.net; Forest Grove local interests list
> >Subject: Re: [Grovenet] An Important Matter
> >
> >
> >That doesn't matter!
> >Ed
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Marian Cakarnis
> > To: stevedj at teleport.com ; 'Forest Grove local
> >interests list'
> > Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 10:51 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Grovenet] An Important Matter
> >
> >
> > I'm just wondering what percentage of students
> >participate in Band and
> > Orchestra at Tom McCall?
> > Marian
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com
> >[mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com] On
> > Behalf Of STEVE JERRETT
> > Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 9:01 PM
> > To: grovenet at rdrop.com
> > Subject: [Grovenet] An Important Matter
> >
> > As many of you are aware, high stakes testing
> >has dominated the educational
> > landscape over the last decade. School districts
> >are pressured by State and
> > Federal bureaucratic entities far removed from
> >the reality of the classroom.
> >
> > This narrow pursuit of proficiency produces a
> >very undesirable side-effect.
> > Any subject not deemed important is relegated to
> >second class status. The
> > arts-music, drama, art-are all trampled by the
> >"meeting the standard"
> > stampede.
> >
> > This scenario is playing out now in the Forest
> >Grove School District. Test
> > score are lagging at Tom McCall Middle School.
> >Feeling the pressure,
> > administrators are looking for reasons for and
> >solutions to the shortfall.
> > Administrative mind set, predictably, focuses on
> >the arts as an easy
> > "scapegoat." Arts classes are traditionally
> >viewed by many administrators
> > as superficial and expendable. The case in point
> >is no exception. Tom McCall
> > Principal Al Rogers has proposed a plan to
> >reduce the status of Band and
> > Orchestra classes from their rightful place in
> >the school curriculum to an
> > after- school activity.
> >
> > I am posting the following letter on Greene
> >because I know that many of you
> > value a diversified educational system that
> >values all endeavors.
> >
> >
> > To: Music Performance Students, Parents and
> >Friends of Music Education.
> > Re: A Call to Action
> >
> >
> >
> > Dear Students, Parents and Friends:
> >
> >
> > I am writing this letter to inform you of a
> >situation that could negatively
> > impact the Forest Grove School District music
> >program. District
> > administrators are considering a plan to remove
> >the Band and Orchestra
> > classes from the regular school day at Tom
> >McCall Upper Elementary School.
> > This plan would reduce the status of music
> >performance groups from their
> > rightful place as a part of the school
> >curriculum to an after school
> > activity. The implementation of this plan
> >could negatively effect the
> > quality our performance groups for years to
> >come.
> >
> > After 30 years of experience as a public school
> >music educator, specifically
> > as a director of performance groups, I can state
> >with confidence that this
> > move will have nothing but a detrimental effect
> >on our performance groups.
> > Reduced student participation in the elementary
> >schools will impact the
> > middle and high school programs for years. The
> >effects of this plan can
> > never be reversed.
> >
> > Also, if this plan becomes reality, it could
> >have serious ramifications to
> > the very survival of these valuable programs. If
> >music performance groups
> > are reduced in status to an after school
> >activity, they will stand a much
> > greater chance of being cut in financially hard
> >times. It is imperative that
> > this plan not be implemented.
> >
> > Therefore, I am asking each and every one of you
> >to take action to assure
> > that this plan is not implemented. Here are
> >some actions that you can take
> > to help assure that it is not:
> >
> > Write a letter to, or email our Superintendent,
> >Jack Musser, school board
> > Chairwoman, Susan Winterbourne and Tom McCall
> >Principal Al Rogers. Try to
> > make sure the letter arrives before the April 9
> >meeting of the Board of
> > Directors. Mailing and email addresses will
> >follow this letter.
> > Attend the next meeting of our Board of
> >Directors on Monday, April 9, at
> > 7:00 p.m. in the Grove Room at the School
> >District office. You can address
> > the board regarding this issue at the beginning
> >of the meeting during the
> > unscheduled public appearances. Be sure to
> >sign in before the meeting to
> > assure yourself a spot on the agenda.
> > Give this letter to as many people you can
> >between now and the April 9
> > meeting. Nothing is more effective than large
> >numbers of people to support a
> > cause.
> >
> > In closing, I urge you to help assure that our
> >music groups continue to
> > thrive. Your support and involvement can make a
> >difference.
> >
> >
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> >
> > Steve Jerrett
> > Parent, District Patron and Music Educator
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Contact Information:
> >
> > Jack Musser
> > Superintendent of Schools
> > Forest Grove School District
> > 1728 Main Street
> > Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
> > Phone: 503-359-2414
> > Email: jmusser at fgsd.k12.or.us
> >
> >
> > Susan Winterbourne
> > Chair, Board of Directors
> > Forest Grove School District
> > 1728 Main Street
> > Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
> > Email: swinterbourne at fgsd.k12.or.us
> >
> >
> > Al Rogers
> > Principal, Tom McCall Upper Elementary School
> > 1341 Pacific Avenue
> > Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
> > Email: arogers at fgsd.k12.or.us
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Steve Jerrett
> > stevedj at teleport.com
> > EarthLink Revolves Around You.
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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>
>
> _____
>
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