MUSIC ADVOCACY: Caring Enough to Put the Student First
September 1, 2009
FOCUS ON COALITION-BUILDING: Back-to-School Inspiration: Elementary String Program Saved!
Editor's Note: Editor's Note: This local success story, as told to editor Debra Bresnan, depicts the recent experience of a string specialist and the community that rallied to support the elementary strings program. Due to the sensitive nature of the strings position in the district, this teacher, a veteran of 32 years in the education system, has chosen to withhold her name and that of her district. If you haven't done so already, now is the time to start a music coalition in your community! Find out how to get started here.
I've been the strings teacher at my school for the past 14 years and have come to think of our 5th grade strings program as 'my baby.' I've decided to tell our success story so others might also summon the courage to work hard to protect public school music education programs in their own communities.
The program used to start in the 2nd grade and over the years has been cut and reduced to 5th grade. I've nurtured the program and watched many students grow into fine young musicians as they moved on in their music studies and adult lives. That's why it felt so devastating and personal to me when the administration proposed last year to cut the feeder program.
My first feelings were disbelief and shock, and I quickly fell into a downward spiral of hopelessness. Luckily, several parents of students involved in the current 5th grade program as well as Middle School and High School parents didn't feel so discouraged.
I made an effort to contact my music professional organizations and found people willing to help. They had the knowledge and experience to encourage me and guide me as I fought for the program.
But it was the parents' resolve and decision to fight the superintendent's recommendation that truly made all the difference: I'm happy to say that due to our united efforts, we'll start the 2010 school year with the 5th grade strings program intact. Although the solution wasn't perfect - all 5th grade students must now choose between the strings program and the required general music class - it's still better than losing the strings program altogether.
Keys to Successful Advocacy: Parents + Facebook & Face Time
When we first heard the strings program might be on the chopping block, one of the first things we did was to set up a free Facebook account to keep parents and other community supporters informed and involved. The Facebook presence helped us draw in community support, especially from students, former alumni of the strings program and community arts groups such as our symphony, theatre groups, etc. Many young people wrote letters to the administration and shared their experiences about being a part of the strings program and how it positively affected their lives.
Facebook and MySpace also helped us get the word out and build momentum for our campaign to save the program. Our High School Arts Advocacy group drafted a letter to the superintendent and asked for a meeting. Following a flood of letters expressing how important the elementary strings program had been and still is to alumni, present students and our community, the superintendent invited coalition members to come and have a meeting with her, face-to-face, during spring break.
Prior to the meeting, we did some research and also prepared questions and carefully choreographed them to represent the effect that cutting the string program would have on the students, the community, area cultural institutions and local businesses. Attendees included the principal violinist from the local symphony orchestra, a fiddler in the community, the owner of a local instrument repair shop, and parents, students, music teachers and other supporters.
One parent asked the superintendent how the decision had been made to cut the program. She replied that the least popular programs and classes were chosen. But, because we had done our homework before the meeting, I was able to tell her that, in fact, out of 135 fifth grade students, 80 of them had signed up for strings! It was actually one of the most popular classes.
Some of the most powerful moments during this sit-down meeting came when a 6th grade student said, "why not start students in the 3rd or even 4th grade? There used to be programs in those grades, too. If I had been forced to wait until the 6th grade to start playing a stringed instrument, I never would have chosen to play. If you start earlier, you're freer to experiment and be adventurous. But, by the time you get to the 6th grade, you're concerned about not being noticed and about fitting in. The cello is such a big part of my life now; I really cannot imagine life without it."
Following the meeting, our coalition dug a little deeper and learned that the recommendation to cut the program had been made by a principal who had repeatedly called the strings program a "distraction." And, in looking at budget figures, we learned the music program budget was a mere $3,000 - and funding had been frozen since last fall, so no music or supplies orders were allowable. By contrast, the high school sports program for 1,000 students was budgeted for over a half a million dollars and for the middle school, over $100,000. Armed with these facts, a booster group of parents attended a public school board meeting and expressed their concerns and needs including keeping our Arts programs strong and making a request not to cut the 5th grade strings program. The superintendent listened and found a way to keep the program.
What You Can Do - Now - In Your Community to Protect Music Education
Our elementary strings program was saved, for the coming year at least. But, budget cuts all around the country are causing concern about funding for music education programs and I now know we all have to be vigilant and stay involved.
Here are a few things you can do right now to advocate for children in your community:
If you don't yet have a music education coalition, start one. DO IT NOW! Even five people can make a difference.
Start the new school year off right: attend School Board meetings and get to know the board members and superintendent. Send them your accomplishments and challenges throughout the year. Invite them to your concerts.
Share U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan's August 2009 letter about the importance of arts education with your school board, local media and parents in your community.
Don't give up! Now, more than ever, it's time to raise your voice about the importance of music education for every child. Even if you are feeling hopeless, reach out to MENC or other Arts groups like the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). They have the experience and materials you need.
It's still painful for me to face what almost happened, and I'm realistic enough to know that in these economic times, music education funding will continue to be vulnerable. I hope that each person will see the value in taking action if in a similar situation occurs in your community or if you know of someone in need of support. Many of today's students and young teachers do not know how to advocate or stand up for what they believe in, and they don't believe ONE person CAN make a difference. By modeling appropriate behavior, advocating for our public school music education programs and stepping up, we CAN keep the Arts in Education.
