[Grovenet] An Important Matter

[Jeff Cooper]

I find it interesting that there is no mention of cutting band at Tom McCall on the FGSD webpage, and that Grovenet is the first mention I heard of it.  Attaining high test scores seems to be the sole indication of success this district knows in regards to student achievement, and indeed NCLB seems to be one of the main culprits.  I would argue that overemphasizing the fundamentals saps the will to learn from students, who may or may not still achieve high test scores.  Quantitative assessment numbers don't crunch qualitative attitudes towards learning, and indeed other intangibles relating to producing well-rounded students.

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>From USA TODAY:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2007-03-29-teacher-study_N.htm
"Elementary school students spend too much time on basic reading and math skills and not enough on problem-solving, reasoning, science and social studies, researchers found in a study published today in the weekly magazine Science. Researchers said teachers need to spend more time engaging students, but critics say the study ignored current realities, such as NCLB."
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Scapegoating such qualitative courses as band and thinking that by eliminating it from the curriculum, so that more core subject matter material may be taught runs counter to the notion that we need to  engage our students and encourage them to become active participants in their own education.  High stakes testing may be the norm now, but does little to truly motivate students to become involved.  Cutting Band, Art, Drama, etc. is akin to cutting recess for elementary students; without "play" they will continue a downward slope in accepting responsibility for their own education, perhaps to the point where their only concern becomes "what is assigned?" rather than "what can I learn?" 

Regards,

Jeff Cooper
Education Technology Support Consultant



 
 
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