CounterPoint

(Editor's Note: This spring, it's critically important that music education advocates attend school board meetings to monitor school planning and budgets for next year. It's essential to be prepared to counter any threats to school music program funding: if you have a solid grasp of your district's financial realities, you'll be able to present the fiscal value of your music programs within a positive and cost-saving economic framework. In this two-part series by leading music education advocate, Dr.

-- by Elizabeth Sokolowski and Anthony DeGregorio

Beyond the rigor and relevance of teaching to the national music education standards, the tangible evidence of all that is learned in our classrooms is an incredible tool for showing why music is an interdisciplinary essential in American education. Making connections to 21st Century Skills and Common Core Standards aligns teaching across the curriculum through a musical lens. Finding creative ways to make this evident is key, and involving students in making a Presidential Podcast focused on music is both innovative and fun.

At the summer Steering Committee meeting, members discussed and reviewed the US Department of Education’s Fast Response Survey System May 2011 ‘First Look’ report, “A Snapshot of Arts Education in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools: 2009–10.” Although an early sample of a complete report expected later in 2012, nati

Parents of music students play many important roles. Two parents -- Scott McCormick (CEO of the National Association of Music Parents) and Hiram Jackson (a frequent contributor to the SupportMusic Facebook page) -- offer ways to motivate greater parental involvement. You’ll also find links to helpful books by Dr. John Benham and David Vandewalker, and resources from SupportMusic and NAfME (formerly MENC). Please share YOUR ideas on the SupportMusic Facebook page.