SOFA

SOFA’s Concerns

by on Jan.11, 2010, under About SOFA, SOFA's concerns, Updates


SOFA has put together a list of what the proposed changes mean and how they will impact students taking music, drama, dance, and visual arts education, listed below are our key concerns:

  • The proposed framework seems to advocate fine arts generalists as opposed to specialists at elementary level; should advocate for specialists wherever possible.
  • Generalists are often uncomfortable with teaching fine arts disciplines; this may water down arts experiences to a sampling of the arts, rather than real skills development.
  • The nature of fine arts do not lend themselves to dabbling, and the development of skill sets and appreciation takes time.  A modular approach will provide only a token sampling of the arts experience.
  • Fine arts require a sequential, skills building curriculum between kindergarten, elementary, junior and senior high schools to attain high level skills.  This is not what is proposed in the framework.
  • The proposed flexible entry points will not provide the necessary sequential learning for success, and allow for entry into post-secondary arts programs (e.g.  University of Alberta, University of Calgary, etc.) if a student wants to further their education.
  • The proposed multiple entry points with no pre-requisites will make effectively teaching students at widely varying levels of experience difficult or impossible.
  • It appears to take an academic approach to fine arts education (music, drama, dance) and not necessarily a performance based approach.
  • Alberta Education is suggesting offering exploratory courses, yet there are not enough qualified teachers or the financial resources to support such a curriculum.   Just a reminder, in 2009 the Alberta Government announced it was cutting the education budget by $80 Million, with more cutbacks in 2010.  For more information, CLICK HERE, or HERE.
  • It is unclear what will happen to ‘locally developed courses’ (courses designed by local school boards to meet unique needs within their schools).
  • It is unclear what will happen to performing ensembles in band, choir, drama, and dance programs.  These could be eliminated if ‘locally developed courses’ are eliminated.
  • The intrinsic value of arts education will be lost if integrated into other subjects and used simply for academic gains.

Don’t miss this opportunity to tell Alberta Education how you feel!


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