NCLB and It's Unequal Effect on Band Participation Kristofer Kimmel

No Child Left Behind NCLB act of 2001 set high standards and measurable goals in public education State develop assessments in basic skills. ( Math, Reading) Must give these assessments to select grade levels for the state to receive federal funding. This expanded the federal governments role in public education.

AYP (Annual Yearly Progress) Schools must meet certain benchmarks and show yearly growth measurement for Pass/Fail

If AYP is not met 2nd consecutive year are publicly labeled as being "in need of improvement". Required to develop a 2 year improvement plan Students have the option to transfer to a high performing school within the district, if one exists

Miss AYP in the 3rd consective year school district forced to offer free tutoring and other supplemental services 4th consective year the school fall under corrective action, which could mean replacement of staff, Principal, new curriculum, and the ADJUSTMENT OF SCHEDULE to give students more time in particular classes 5th year can result in state takeover of school.

Keep in Mind The state is moving to Keystone exams that count toward a students graduation Exams are course specific This years 8th graders are the first year to meet new requirements. Algebra I, Literature, Biology Dauphin County Technical school

Central Dauphin Report Cards

Swatara Middle School

Academic Enrichment Period Last period of the Day All ensembles are during this time. Days 1,2 Band, Days 3,4 Chorus, Days 5,6 orchestra changed name from Flex to make it not sound like a study hall for students not in ensembles Has been a problem period for years- crowded computer labs, libraries, except for the tutored students and ensembles it's unstructured time for the entire school.

Middle School Schedule

Two-Fold Problem Band, Chorus, and Orchestra time (known as "Academic Enrichment" period) is being reduced from 42 minutes twice a week to 30 minutes twice a week Low performing (PSSA) students are pulled from our band instruction period to participate in PSSA Math and Reading sessions.

Spinoff problems Only high performing students can leave math, and Language Arts classes for Band and Orchestra pullout lessons. That leaves only other "creative arts" classes phys. ed periods, and social studies, foreign languages (cut) to pull students for pullout lessons. Students in those sub groups labeled as "proficient" are now being pulled for extra tutoring. Tutoring Double standard created

Points from Literature

There is little if any proof that state testing raised the achievement levels in Math, Language Arts, and Science. Dee (2010)

2008 Published Survey of Principals from Abril and Gault 540 Secondary Principals interviewed about music programs. NCLB and standardized testing had the most negative impact on their school's music offerings. From a 5-point Likert scale. Music Advocacy was suggested to combat issues.

Same problem, Same Solution Tina Beveridge had the same problem in the middle school she taught at in Washington state. lack of funding kept all tutoring during her middle school class Students were pulled out of her band for tutoring for the state tests.

Beveridge Solutions Music Ensemble/Education advocacy In-services to help teachers learn how to write grants.

Advocacy is always important, but looking for concrete solution Grant writing would not help me in this situation. Maybe grants could be used to pay teachers to have tutoring afterschool. Though odd for music teacher to write grants for students to have afterschool tutoring.

Solutions Get rid of Testing Mandates Can't beat them.....Join them 1.Keystone test for Music 2.Lowest level of musical thinking Music Advocacy

Propose schedule to Principal Music ensemble students would be tracked together at their grade level. Instead of having Academic Enrichment period, students would have Band opposite the Core subjects Academic Enrichment period ( Flex) ((really a study hall)) would be staggered throughout the day Similar model to a High School

Pros to this plan Teachers would not be pulling the low achieving students for tutoring during core classes and Music enembles. Each Academic enrichment period teacher would be responsible for tutoring students. Would clear up halls Less people trying to use computers labs, and libraries at once.

Cons Teachers would have to tutor during AE period In order for schedule to work would need another part time music teacher (every other secondary school has one except for ours) Might require questioning teacher contract. (only allowed to have 6 periods of instruction a day) Teacher might have to teach cross grade levels Would have to be heterogeneous lunch periods. (Don't really see that as a problem)

Because Foreign Languages were cut