SOFA

On December 28th, 2009, the Calgary Herald ran an article on proposed education funding cuts by the Alberta Government.

To view the article written by Sarah McInnis, Education Reporter, CLICK HERE

ON DECEMBER 8TH, KEVIN WILLMS (MUSIC EDUCATOR FROM WILLIAM ABERHART HIGH SCHOOL IN CALGARY) WAS INVITED TO MEET WITH WITH JOAN ENGEL AND SHELLEY WELLS FROM ALBERTA EDUCATION IN EDMONTON. THE FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY IN POINT FORM OF SOME OF THE ITEMS DISCUSSED, ACCORDING TO KEVIN:

 Locally developed courses are under review. The cost of the CEU funding for these has been increasing by about 3 million dollars per year. I suggested that this reflects the need for these courses and that, in fact many of these should become provincial curriculum and offered as co-curricular to the core fine arts program. Joan was receptive to this.

 I expressed concern about the statement related to curriculum being accessible to both generalists and specialists in the current proposed framework. I was informed that this is true in all curriculum areas. It is true that staffing, teaching assignments and the use or non-use of specialists falls completely within the jurisdiction of each school division. I stressed that I hoped this did not mean that the new curriculum, when it is written, will not be written with this as the guiding principle resulting in a watered down content. I was told that this was not the intent BUT that the reality in many areas of the province, particularly rural, is that there are not specialists available and there needs to be a curriculum that can be delivered as the alternative to not offering fine arts to all in the province is not acceptable.

 In discussing the junior high “arts exploration” stream as well as the single credit approach for high school it was stated that the intent is to draw in students who are not otherwise engaged in fine arts. The intent is not to undermine band programs etc., but to involve students in the arts who are not part of these groups. My concern remains that the language used opens the door for changes that could be implemented by administrators who are less supportive of the arts or where there are budgetary and logistical challenges. I was reminded that fine arts courses at these levels are not currently mandatory. I would agree that there should be a place for courses for those students who have not been attracted to the current offerings. This must be done very carefully and some of the responsibility for delivering an “arts awareness” program must lie within other subjects, particularly the humanities. This is difficult to reflect in the arts education framework.

 There is agreement that a single credit system has generated the most responses and concerns. We discussed the spiral nature of teaching and learning in the fine arts. I also suggested that 25 hour offerings of any topic “box in” the effective teacher and limit their ability deliver an integrated curriculum or even to teach to the level of the class where the outcomes should be the focus, not the specific hourly commitment to a particular topic. A part of a solution, I suggested that perhaps a core curriculum that had prescribed minimums in different areas (eg theory, history, technique) with the option increasing these components in accordance with school needs and with a series of elective components would better allow teachers to do what they do best. Joan was receptive to this idea. I did stress that in no way shape or form would a single credit offering of anything be an acceptable replacement for anything currently offered as a 5 or 3 credit LDC (eg single credit jazz component to replace a 5 credit jazz LDC).

 We discussed the fact that an “alternate framework” has been started by educators – currently residing with the Alberta Band Association – and will circulate amongst fine arts education organizations and educators for feedback before being presented to Alberta Education. Joan was very receptive to this and has said she looks forward to receiving it. I indicated that the basis involves a core curriculum of sequential skill, knowledge and literacy acquisition in each of the four disciplines (while acknowledging that I don’t know what that might look like in drama or dance in the early grades). These would be surrounded by co-curricular enhancements/courses that look similar to many of our current locally developed courses (jazz etc.) and that the LDC should continue to have an important role in areas where there is a need for culturally diverse offerings. Joan indicated that we are on the same wavelength in our thinking.

 it was acknowledged that our current curriculum contains many excellent components and content and that certain elements of it need to be brought forward into the new curriculum, with updated language etc.

 It was acknowledged that communication from Alberta Education could have been better in a couple of areas: a) there could have been better communication in announcing that the new framework had been posted. B) there is a disconnect between what was intended and what is perceived in the current document

 Perhaps most significant was an assurance that the process does not end for us at the end of January. In fact, once the deadline for response to the currently posted framework has passed, a new framework will be developed. It will also be posted for public feedback and there will be opportunities to discuss it further. I have been assured that we will meet again.

 Joan asked me directly if I felt reassured at the end of our meeting. My direct answer was yes BUT that I would really feel reassured when I see it in writing in the next draft of the framework. Whatever is written down remains the reality. I do appreciate the time that was taken and do feel listened to.

THE FOLLOWING LETTER WAS SENT TO THE HONORABLE DAVE HANCOCK, MINISTER OF EDUCATION FROM LYLE BENNETT, SOFA CO-CHAIR. WE WILL POST MR. HANCOCK’S REPLY WHEN/IF WE RECEIVE IT.

Honorable David Hancock
Minister of Education
#224 Legislature Building
10800 – 97 Ave
Edmonton, AB
T5K 2B6

Dear Mr. Hancock:

Firstly, it is positive that Alberta Education is doing an update of the K-12 Fine Arts Curriculum after 20 plus years.  Change is not necessarily bad as long as it is respectful of the current programs that are working well and seeks to improve the quality of education of one of our most valuable resources, our children.    I have read the document along with the consultation report and agree wholeheartedly with your Rationale, Vision, Guiding Principles and Creativity however, begin to have some grave concerns when I read the Program Organization and beyond.  These last pages seem to be inconsistent with the philosophy espoused in the previous pages to the point that it seems as though different people with different values could have written them.

I have come to understand that this draft is very preliminary and appreciate that your Ministry extended the deadline to allow for more input from students, parents, teachers, musicians and other interested citizens, as this came as a surprise to many of us.  We have been told that the deadline for input is now January 31, 2010.  Can you please explain or have someone explain what the next steps in the process will be after this deadline has been reached and what the time frame to completion will be?

Presumably as this process unfolds there will be more opportunities for consultation and input from concerned parties.  Could you please outline what these opportunities will be and at what stages in the process these will occur?
 
Many of the issues that concern me such as an implied emphasis on generalist as opposed to specialist educators, an apparent lack of skill development emphasis in favor of exploration, multiple entry points with no prerequisites, incredible timetabling challenges with modular courses and no mention of the teamwork experience of large performing groups I assume will be addressed as this process evolves.
 
Many people are interested in working to a mutually successful conclusion to the Update.
 
Sincerely,
Lyle Bennett
Concerned Parent, Co-chair, Save Our Fine Arts

I have a son who has been involved with Drama since he was in elementary, loves it and graduating 2010 in hopes of continuing this passion of his. His long term goal is to become a teacher and teach drama to the very tallented kids out there that need to be able to show there creative ability to the public and not on a piece of paper.

This is his future and I am sure the future of many of the children who are so involved. What happens now? Is he going to have to make a change in his future decision, because of cutbacks, NO let our kids continue to show there tallent, and ability.

The passion that our children have for the arts is incredible, It shows when they are on stage, singing, playing a musical instrument, creating pictures on paper. Please do not this away from our kids. For some this is their future.

Alberta Primetime recently did a feature report regarding changes to the fine arts curriculum.  During the broadcast, Christine Bouchard (Team Lead) from Alberta Education and Lyle Bennett (Save Our Fine Arts Committee Co-chair) were interviewed.

To view the broadcast, CLICK HERE

The Coalition for Music Education in Canada is dedicated to ensuring all Canadian children have access to music education. They work with parents, educators and government officials to ensure every child has an opportunity to receive music education. 

On December 3rd, they published an article on their website outlining their concerns over the proposed changes to music education in Alberta.  To read it on their website, CLICK HERE

It would appear the proposed changes in fine arts education in Alberta have caught the attention of an Ontario newspaper.   The Windsor Star recently published an article entitled, “Calgary students fight proposed cuts to fine arts in Alberta schools.”

To read the article, CLICK HERE

Our SOFA Committee recently received the followng comment from someone who claims she is an educator in Alberta:

As an educator in Alberta, I believe the comments on your site are misinformed and extremly biased.  The curiculum has not yet been written, only a framework, so the succession of skills and “spiral learning” will be contained in that document.  I am suprised that your organization would be satified with a curiculum  that is 20 years old, difficult to teach at a lower level, and based on old educational principals.  It’s time for an update.

The following is our response to the above from Lyle Bennett, SOFA Co-chair:

Firstly, thank you for your response to our website.   We appreciate all comments and will post your email note on our website without your name attached.

Secondly, we have not said on any occasion that we are satisfied with the 20+ year old curriculum.  In fact, in a letter that I recently wrote to the Minister of Education I said, “It is positive that Alberta Education is doing an update of the K-12 Fine Arts Curriculum after 20+ years.  Change is not necessarily bad as long as it is respectful of the current programs that are working well and seeks to improve the quality of education of one of our most valuable resources, our children.” 

We have talked with literally hundreds of students, parents and fine arts teachers who are concerned about how this change will take place, but who for most part welcome the update as long as it does not “water down” the excellent programs that they are currently a part of.  For most of us, we are not averse to change. We simply want to make sure that we have a voice in managing this change so that we attain the best possible curriculum for all concerned.  We understand that the “framework” is the foundation of the curriculum and simply want to ensure the foundation is solid so that the resulting curriculum will be the best that in can be. 

Alberta Education has acknowleged that they need to re-write the framework based upon the input from us and others and we look forward to collaborating with them further as this process evolves.

Finally, if you wish to be more specific of where you think we are misinformed and biased we would be happy to discuss this further with you.

Again, thank you for your input.

 Best Regards,

Lyle Bennett
Concerned Parent, SOFA Co-Chair

“One of my parents’ deepest fears, I suspect, is that society would not properly value me as a musician, that I wouldn’t be appreciated.”

The attached PDF – Why Music Still Matters – is a written copy of an address given by Dr. Karl Paulnack, Director of Music at the Boston Conservatory, to parents of incoming students.

It is a very moving dissertation on the value and purpose of music and music education.

We  encourage you to read it by CLICKING HERE

Check out the Alberta Government’s “Speak Out Alberta” website where you can post any concerns you might have regarding proposed changes to fine arts education.

You can access the website by CLICKING HERE