SOFA

Welcome to SOFA, otherwise known as Save Our Fine Arts.  Thanks for checking out our website!

We are an organization that was set up in response to Alberta Education’s proposed changes to our Fine Arts Curriculum.  A group of 31 parents, students, educators and other fine arts industry officials make up the SOFA Committee.  If you are interested in becoming a part of our committee, please send a note to saveourfinearts@gmail.com.

If you are concerned about the fine arts changes, please register on our website by hitting the red REGISTER button on the right.  By doing this you are adding your name to a growing list of concerned parents, students, arts educators and professional artists from all corners of Alberta and Canada.  We’ve even got a number of people who have registered from the United States.

If you would like to become more informed about the changes, please explore the website.

Please check back frequently for updates.  These can be found from the home page!

Thank you!

SOFA Organizing Committee

Below are a number of letters that SOFA has received and we feel are of great importance. These include letter’s from University professor’s,  letter’s too and from Dave Hancock – the Minister of Education and letter’s sent too and from Susan McLeod, one of the proposed frameworks authors.

To view the letter’s involving the Minister of Education, please click here.

To view letter’s involving Susan McLoed, author of the proposed framework, click here.

Please take some time and read any or all of the letters!

Want to get to know your student representatives! Below is an introduction to each of them!

Sam Gregory -  Dr E.P Scarlett High School

Sam is an active member in band at Dr E.P Scarlett High School, and plays the saxophone and clarinet in four bands. Sam has been a part of SOFA since day one. He helped manage the facebook group “Petition Against New Alberta Fine Arts Curriculum” from the get go, and since then has been an active member of SOFA. Sam is one of the editors of the web page, and aims to keep it as up to date as possible! He hopes to study political science in university, and minor in music. Sam has a sweet tooth for chocolate. He is also English.

Maher El Hares -  Dr E.P Scarlett High School

Maher plays percussion in the concert bands at Dr E.P Scarlett High School, and his favorite instrument is the triangle. Maher became involved with SOFA a few weeks after it started, after a conversation between Sam and himself where he infamously quoted “WHAT?! I thought it was a joke? They are serious? …Dang…we should do something!” That night Maher went home and created the youtube channel Save Our Fine Arts, and since then has been an active member in the committee.  He manages the student zone of the website. Maher works at Tim Hortons and drinks a tea from there every morning. If you want to make him happy, he likes a Large Earl Grey Tea, with 3 sugar…Yes. He has a sweet tooth too.

Calistra Nair – Western Canada High School

Calistra plays alto saxophone in the concert bands and jazz bands at Western Canada High School. She has been involved with SOFA since day one, and her enthusiasm and energy is endless. She helped manage the facebook group “Petition Against New Alberta Fine Arts Curriculum” and has passionately expressed her opinions for SOFA on many occasions. She has been accepted into U of BC to study music next year, and hopes to one day teach music. Calistra enjoys talking loudly and is horrible at winning bets.

PROPOSED K-12 ARTS EDUCATION CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK

In June 2009, Alberta Learning released a draft framework for changes to the fine arts
curriculum in Alberta. The following changes were recommended:

Change of program name from ‘Fine Arts Programs’ to Arts Education to better reflect the
concept of learning in, through and about the arts.

In grades K-6, the proposed curriculum

• would provide students with a wide range of artistic experiences
• would be taught by both generalists and specialists
• would integrate arts into other subjects
• would be implemented in schools by 2012

In grades 7-9, the proposed curriculum

• would offer two arts ‘tracks’. The Arts Education Exploration track would offer students some experience in a variety of art forms. The Arts Education Focus track would provide students with an in-depth experience in one particular art form (music, visual art, dance or drama)
• All junior high arts programs would have flexible entry points.
• would be implemented in schools by 2013

In grades 10-12, the proposed curriculum

• will offer opportunities for specialized learning through a variety of 1-credit (25 hour) coursesin dance, drama, music and visual art.
• will allow students the opportunity to explore and experience the arts in a tight timetable
• will allow students to choose Arts Education Project courses to extend their learning in aparticular arts discipline
• according to new information, the new 1-credit courses may not necessarily mean the end of current 3-5 credit (125 hour) courses. This is to be determined in consultation with stakeholders
• some courses will offer flexible entry points.
• pre-requisites, co-requisites and course sequences are also to be determined.
• would be implemented in schools by 2014

Public responses are due to Alberta Learning by January 31, 2010

The government has indicated it will consider suggestions, questions and comments about
the proposed curriculum.
Please see the information below on how to respond:

Concerns about the proposed Curriculum changes:

• Seems to advocate generalists as opposed to specialists at elementary level, should advocate for specialists wherever possible.
• Generalists often uncomfortable with teaching fine arts disciplines, may water down arts experiences to a sampling of the arts, rather than real skills development.
• Fine arts do not lend themselves to dabbling, and the development of skill sets and appreciation takes time. A modular approach may provide only a token sampling of the arts experience.
• Flexible entry points may not provide necessary sequential learning for success, and for entry into post-secondary arts programs.
• Multiple entry points with no pre-requisites will make effectively teaching students at widely varying levels of experience difficult or impossible.
• Fine arts require a sequential, ongoing curriculum to attain high level skills.
• Appears to take an academic approach to music, and not necessarily a performance based approach.
• Alberta Education is suggesting offering exploratory courses, yet resources; teachers are not available to do so.
• It is unclear what will happen to performing ensembles in music programs.
• It is unclear what will happen to Locally Developed Courses (courses designed by school boards to meet unique needs within their schools)
• The intrinsic value of arts education will be lost if integrated into other subjects and used simply for academic gains.

Positive aspects of the Proposed Curriculum changes:

• Greater access to arts programming for students living in rural school districts.
• Option for students to explore interests, possibly develop a new passion.
• Greater appreciation and support for the arts, creating broader audiences for concerts, plays, ballet, arts shows, etc, resulting in stronger financial support.
• Provincial dance program will be developed under new curriculum due to demand.
• Students involved in arts tend to stay in school and achieve success due to participation.
• Modular courses may be therapeutic benefits for students unable to cope with full arts courses.
• Wider development of appreciation for the arts, and of creativity and thinking skills as vital job skills.

Who to contact to raise your concerns about changes to the
Alberta Fine Arts Curriculum:

• susan.mcleod@gov.ab.ca
• wesley.oginski@gov.ab.ca
• sean.yam@gov.ab.ca
• keray.henke@gov.ab.ca
• dave.hancock@gov.ab.ca
• premier@gov.ab.ca

Also, please go to this website and choose your appropriate MLA.

http://www.foundlocally.com/Calgary/Local/Gov-Provincial.htm
-Your school principal
-Your school board trustee

Websites:

www.saveourfinearts.ca
Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/group.php?gid=178897880784
Ab Ed Proposal Link – http://education.alberta.ca/teachers/program/finearts/program-updates.aspx
Calgary Herald Submissions:

To submit to the Calgary Herald Op-Ed Page:

1. Keep your letter to 250 words or less. You may be edited.
2. Include your full name, address and phone number
3. Submit:

• by mail to Letters Editor, Calgary Herald, P.O. Box 2400, Stn M Calgary AB T2P 0W8
• by fax to 403-235-7379
• by e-mail to Letters@theherald.canwest.com

Prepared by: SOFA Organizing Committee
November 9th, 2009

SOFA  has created a survey directed at Fine Arts educators throughout Alberta to gain a better understanding of how educators are feeling about the current Fine Arts system in place within our K-12 schools in Alberta. SOFA is interested in finding out where Educators believe that the system is working, and perhaps, where improvements can be made.

With the announcement from Alberta Education’s curriculum manager Joan Engle that Alberta Education will be revising the first draft of the new proposed framework for Fine Arts Education in Alberta, with the new draft looking to be ready for the spring of 2011.

In order for us to be the most effective we can, we are seeking information from those that know the system best – you, the educators of the system.  We request that you take some time to fill out the filling survey so that SOFA can better understand what the arts educators feel.

The survey can be found HERE

Thank You!

Whilst downtown last week, a SOFA committee member came across a group of students singing for Haiti on Stephens Avenue. This is just one of many arts centered fundraisers that have occurred throughout Calgary in support of those affected by the Haiti earthquake.

Attached are some photo’s of the singers, along with a few inspiringquotes related to the arts found at arts central downtown.

Enjoy!

Below is a reply recieved from a SOFA committee member from Eduction Minister Dave Hancock. Altough similar to the letter below, it raises some different points!

Dear Sam:

Your MLA, Heather Forsyth, forwarded to me your December 1, 2009 e-mail regarding the K–12 Arts Education Curriculum Framework – June 2009 Draft.  I am always happy to see students show such an interest in important issues, such as education.

I understand you met with the Arts Education curriculum managers at the Calgary Association of Parents and School Councils on November 18, 2009, and they addressed your questions.

I wish to address specific concerns in your e-mail.  The proposed changes to the Arts Education curriculum are summarized on the Fine Arts Updates Page on our website at www.education.alberta.ca/teachers/program/finearts/program-updates.aspx.  Click on Proposed Changes to the K–12 Fine Arts Programs of Study to see a chart that outlines what will remain the same and identifies proposed changes.  What is expected to remain the same includes the scope and sequence of skills for each arts discipline, along with the effective and promising practices currently found in Alberta’s classrooms.  The excellent programs enjoyed in our schools, such as ensemble band classes, are not expected to change.  As always, schools and school boards will be responsible for deciding which programs to retain when new curricula are implemented.  The purpose of this framework is to support and encourage effective arts programming, which may include performing ensembles.

The K–12 Arts Education Curriculum Framework – June 2009 Draft is not a program of studies.
It provides the philosophical foundation for programs of study in each arts discipline.  Future music programs of study will provide more detail regarding specific learning outcomes and suggested programs, such as performing ensembles.  However, the General Learning Outcomes given in the draft framework do include Connecting and Belonging (working as an ensemble) and Creating and Expressing (including performing).

With respect to teachers with specialized training in the arts, staffing for schools is the responsibility of school jurisdictions.  Small or isolated schools may be unable to recruit such teachers for a variety of reasons; therefore a new curriculum must be accessible to all who are responsible for instruction.  When new programs of study are developed, they are supported with learning and teaching resources, as well as professional development opportunities for teachers to support new program implementation.

The proposed program organization in the K–12 Arts Education Curriculum Framework – June 2009 Draft was developed as a response to requests for increased flexibility and variety.  The intent of the proposed single credit structure was to allow opportunities for schools to create programs to meet their needs by combining single credits.  In this way, schools could create groups of one-credit courses that would be similar to existing three- or five-credit courses, while adding new opportunities for all students to access the arts.  Distributed learning will also play a role by offering courses through the use of emerging technology, such as videoconferencing and digital resources.

We are working with post-secondary institutions to ensure students who wish to pursue career opportunities in arts education will have the required courses and credits to access these programs after Grade 12.  Representatives from Alberta’s post-secondary schools will continue to be involved in the curriculum development process, just as they have been involved in the creation of the Arts Education Framework, which is currently posted for feedback.

Two professors from the University of Calgary provided written text that contributed to the development of the draft framework.  Dr. Shelley Robinson conducted a literature review (Promising Practice and Core Learnings in Arts Education) and Dr. Robert Kelly’s work on creativity informed the development of the draft (there is a section on the creative process in the proposed framework).  His book appears in the bibliography section of the draft K–12 Arts Education Curriculum Framework.

After January 31, 2010, the K–12 Arts Education Curriculum Framework – June 2009 Draft and the Online Discussion Questions will be removed from Education’s website.  The draft will then undergo further revisions based on responses to the online discussion questions and responses gathered from e-mails, letters and face-to-face meetings.  All responses will be carefully considered during this revision.  Once the revision is complete, the document will again be posted online for stakeholder engagement.  We will then focus on beginning to develop programs of study, and we hope to begin implementation in 2014.

If you have further questions or concerns, please contact Susan McLeod, Curriculum Manager–Arts Education, Curriculum Sector, at 780-422-3217or by e-mail at Susan.McLeod@gov.ab.ca .  You could also contact Katherine Deren, Curriculum Manager–Arts Education, French and International Education Services, at 780-422-1988 or by e-mail at Katherine.Deren@gov.ab.ca.

Thank you for your interest in arts education.

Yours truly,

Dave Hancock, Q.C.

Minister of Education

The Cochrane Times recently featured a news article raising the issue of the proposed curriculum changes.

The article can be HERE

It is great to see that the media is still gettig involved!

On December 30th, the First Baptist Church in Downtown Calgary was the venue of a fantastic concert showcasing Calgary born Michael Hope and Stefanie Rose Airey.

The concert, featuring the two local musicians and friends, was held in support of SOFA, after Stefanie heard about the proposed changes from her Mom.

The evening was a great success. The concert featured music from Bach through to Mozart, and both Michael and Stefanie executed their musicianship excellently throughout the whole evening, singing along side a number of Calgary musicians. The whole concert was a pleasure to listen to, and the encore at the end was fabulous.

Stefanie and Michael both discussed SOFA right after the intermission. Together, they gave an exceptional speech that summed up the thoughts and concerns of many towards the proposed changes.

A SOFA committee member was also at the concert talking to people before the concert and during the intermission to answer any questions.

The SOFA committee would like to thank Stefanie and Michael, along with everyone else that made the concert possible, for their fantastic efforts into making the night a great succcess!

Alberta Education recently added a fact sheet as well as some frequently asked questions and answers.  This does answer some of our questions, but not all.

To review Alberta Education’s new information, please CLICK HERE