Save Our Kid's Music 2010

Music Programs Threatened

2010-01-16T09:39:00.000-08:00

Given the economic pressures facing the Fulton County school board, various cuts to the budget are being proposed, many of which could affect the quality of education offered our children. Of particular interest is the possibility of cutting elementary school band, orchestra and chorus. Currently, all 4th and 5th graders are given the opportunity to choose between band, orchestra, or chorus, and attend those classes two days per week. If cuts are implemented, 4th and 5th graders will be offered the same general music education offered the younger (K-3) grades once per week. We would lose many wonderful educators, and our children would miss out on two years of specific music education.

Fulton County schools are currently chosen because of the programs they offer. It's safe to say, with commutes covering all of the Atlanta area, Fulton schools will become less desirable if these programs are cut. This not only effects our children, but our property values and local business revenue.

These changes are being implemented without input from teachers or other music personnel. Fortunately, however, it does appear that there is a small window of opportunity to affect some influence/change. If you are also concerned about this issue, please contact the board member for your area, as well as the other board members and the superintendent. Time is of the essence, as cuts will possibly be voted upon at a January board meeting. Please also note that each of the board members holds monthly Community Meetings which anyone can attend.

Fulton County Contact Information

2010-01-16T09:33:00.000-08:00

Board meeting dates/locations: www.fultonschools.org.

Board Member Contact Information:

Board in general: board@fultonschools.org

Linda Schultz, District 1: schultzl@fultonschools.org

Katie Reeves, District 2: reevesk@fultonschools.org

Gail Dean, District 3: deang@fultonschools.org

Linda Bryant (President), District 4: bryantlp@fultonschools.org

Ashley Widener, District 5: widenera@fultonschools.org

Catherine Maddox, District 6: maddoxc@fultonschools.org

Julia Bernath (Vice President), District 7: bernath@fultonschools.org

Cindy Loe (Superintendent): loec@fultonschools.org

Save Fulton Music Programs

2010-01-16T08:21:00.000-08:00

The Fulton County School System (FCSS) is considering the elimination of elementary school music programs (orchestra, band, chorus). Here are just a few reasons why they shouldn't:

Surveys demonstrate that early exposure to music can enhance abilities in areas from reading readiness to math proficiency. (Gardiner, Fox, Jeffrey, & Knowles (Brown University), as reported in Nature, May 23, 1996)

Recent studies indicate that music education dramatically improves a child's ability to solve complex math and science problems. (Shaw, Rauscher, Levine, Wright, Dennis, & Newcomb (University of California-Irvine), “Music Training Causes Long-Term Enhancement of Preschool Children’ Spatial-Temporal Reasoning,”Neurological Research, Vol. 19, February 1997)

Students who participate in music programs score significantly higher on standardized tests, scoring 57 points higher on the verbal portion of the SAT and 41 points higher on the math portion than other students. Scores for those with coursework in music appreciation were 63 points higher on the verbal and 44 points higher on the math. (College-Bound Seniors National Report: Profile of SAT Program Test Takers, Princeton New Jersey: The College Entrance Examination Board, 2001)

Students receiving music education are also less likely to be involved in gangs, drugs or alcohol abuse, and have better attendance in school. (Research by Kevin Thompson, North Dakota State University, cited in Congressional Resolution 380, May 5, 2004)

Music participants, on average, receive more academic honors and higher grades than do students in the general population. (National Educational Longitudinal Study, First Follow-Up, Washington, D.C.: National Center for Education Statistics, 1990)

Music encourages creativity, imagination, and emotional response. These areas are important for success throughout life. (Norman Weinberger, “Creating Creativity with Music,”Musical Research Notes, Vol. 2, Sep. 1998)

Arts education develops collaborative and teamwork skills, technological competencies, flexible thinking, and an appreciation for diversity. (“Educating for the Workplace through the Arts,”Business Week, October 28, 1996.)