SOFA

Susan McLeod
Curriculum Manager – Arts Education
Arts, Communication and Citizenship
Alberta Education – 812F – 44 Capital Blvd.
10044 – 108 Street,
Edmonton AB

Good evening Susan. Thank you for taking the time to respond to our e-mail.

• We share the vision of the draft Framework which supports students to “realize their full, unique potential as they learn in the arts, through the arts and about the arts”.  It appears your view of this vision is very different than our view of this vision – how is the importance of arts education and realization of full potential achieved from the reduction of the current full 5 course credits to a single credit as proposed under the Framework ? 
• We were unable to see where the ”traditions and rigour of each discipline” were retained.  It appears they have been virtually removed.
• Elements of development, knowledge, skill, enrichment, excellence/achievement in the four disciplines of the arts are missing from the framework.
• It is not apparent that the framework supports providing options to students who are interested in developing their knowledge, skills and abilities in the arts beyond a general interest level.  Frankly, it appears the Framework does nothing to develop and prepare students for further post secondary study in the areas of the arts or success outside of the classroom.
• It appears that the Guiding Principles were dominated by a single philosophy.  While you mention you consulted with a diverse group of stakeholders in developing these principles, it appears that the voice of experienced, skilled, and accomplished educators in the areas of the arts was excluded, or ignored in developing the Principles or the Framework. 
• Premier Stelmach endorsed excellence in the arts by his remarks in announcing funding for the Mount Royal Conservatory (at Mount Royal University) earlier this year:  “Funding for the Mount Royal Conservatory is an investment in Alberta’s cultural legacy and part of our ongoing investment in public infrastructure during these difficult times.   Ensuring young Albertans have access to arts and culture, including music instruction, is important in building strong communities and enhancing our quality of life.”  The Framework is inconsistent with the position the Premier appears to hold.

So the concerns from our original e-mail remain.  This Framework, if approved and implemented, will ultimately lead to the demise of arts education in Alberta

Dear XXXXXX

Thank you for your email regarding Arts Education.

I am happy to address your comments about the proposed K-12 Arts Education Curriculum Framework June 2009 DRAFT. Arts Education provides opportunities for students to learn in the arts, through the arts, and about the arts. This includes instruction in specific arts disciplines and infusion of the arts across the curriculum. Research and focused discussions with diverse stakeholders have guided the development of a draft K–12 Arts Education Curriculum Framework.

The draft framework highlights the importance of arts education in the 21st Century. It proposes a vision of students realizing their full, unique potential as they learn in the arts, through the arts and about the arts. Based on a student-centered learning approach, the new framework proposes four general learning outcomes that reflect the common links that exist across arts disciplines (music, art, drama and dance). This means retaining the traditions and rigour of each discipline, while also embracing opportunities in the arts across subject areas.

Rather than minimalizing arts education, it is the intent of the draft framework to retain what is working well and also add further opportunities for students. If you have not already done so, I would like to invite you to view the proposed K–12 Arts Education Curriculum Framework June 2009 DRAFT online at:

http://www.education.alberta.ca/teachers/program/finearts/program-updates.aspx

Once you view the document, you are invited to add your comments to the Online Discussion Questions (at the same link). We value all stakeholder feedback and will carefully consider all responses when completing our revisions to the draft framework. We are especially pleased to receive your alternate suggestions for possible program organization.

I am happy to hear about your son’s successes with his music programs and career path. You must be very proud of his accomplishments!

Thank you again for your interest,

Susan McLeod
Curriculum Manager – Arts Education
Arts, Communication and Citizenship
Alberta Education – 812F – 44 Capital Blvd.
10044 – 108 Street,
Edmonton AB
T5J 5E6

Tel (780) 422-3217
Fax (780) 422-0576
Toll free (780) 310-0000

susan.mcleod@gov.ab.ca
http://alberta.education.ca

Good evening Susan. Thank you for taking the time to respond to our e-mail.

As you suggested we reviewed the draft Framework document.  Unfortunately, the draft Framework does nothing to alleviate our concerns; rather it gives us reason for greater concern.  

 We offer the following comments for your consideration:

• We share the vision of the draft Framework which supports students to “realize their full, unique potential as they learn in the arts, through the arts and about the arts”.  It appears your view of this vision is very different than our view of this vision – how is the importance of arts education and realization of full potential achieved from the reduction of the current full 5 course credits to a single credit as proposed under the Framework? 
• We were unable to see where the ”traditions and rigor of each discipline” were retained.  It appears they have been virtually removed.
• Elements of development, knowledge, skill, enrichment, excellence/achievement in the four disciplines of the arts are missing from the framework.
• It is not apparent that the framework supports providing options to students who are interested in developing their knowledge, skills and abilities in the arts beyond a general interest level.  Frankly, it appears the Framework does nothing to develop and prepare students for further post secondary study in the areas of the arts or success outside of the classroom.
• It appears that the Guiding Principles were dominated by a single philosophy.  While you mention you consulted with a diverse group of stakeholders in developing these principles, it appears that the voice of experienced, skilled, and accomplished educators in the areas of the arts was excluded, or ignored in developing the Principles or the Framework. 
• Premier Stelmach endorsed excellence in the arts by his remarks in announcing funding for the Mount Royal Conservatory (at Mount Royal University) earlier this year:  “Funding for the Mount Royal Conservatory is an investment in Alberta’s cultural legacy and part of our ongoing investment in public infrastructure during these difficult times.   Ensuring young Albertans have access to arts and culture, including music instruction, is important in building strong communities and enhancing our quality of life.”  The Framework is inconsistent with the position the Premier appears to hold.

So the concerns from our original e-mail remain.  This Framework, if approved and implemented, will ultimately lead to the demise of arts education in Alberta. 

 Yours truly,