What Do You Know about the National Common Core Arts Standards and Other Professional Development?

Since 2011, the formation and writing of the National Common Core Arts Standards have been in progress. By the time you read this, portions of the standards in draft form will be posted for your review, cornerstone assessment tasks will be in pilot mode, and a web-based platform for the standards database will be developed to disseminate all information. Practicing music educators across the United States have been diligently working to develop standards that are grounded in research and philosophy, reflect the creative process of the art form, maintain rigor and flexibility for individual teachers and local districts, and provide cornerstone assessment tasks focused on “rich performance tasks that demand transfer” (“National Core Arts Standards: A Conceptual Framework for Arts Learning,” p. 13).

On the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards website, the College Board describes the new standards:

The format and design of this new set of standards is different, changing the manner in which the field interacts with standards and assessments. No longer will we talk about standards as lists of what students should know and be able to do. Rather, we will talk about standards as measurable and attainable learning events based on artistic goals. (p. 6).

Educators familiar with the Understanding by Design® framework, developed by Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins, will be comfortable with the backward design approach chosen for building the standards. This design starts with the identified outcomes of learning, next determines the evidence of attainment, and finally formulates the path for achieving the desired results. It will be important for music educators to become familiar with the application of the Understanding by Design framework.

To view all the public documents for the National Common Core Arts Standards, please visit http://nccas.wikispaces.com. This site provides a wealth of resources, including the report, “Child Development and Arts Education: A Review of Current Research and Best Practices,” prepared by the College Board for the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards January 2012, and the College Board December 2012 report, “The Arts and the Common Core: A Review of Connection Between the Common Core State Standards and the National Core Arts Standards Conceptual Framework.” These readings provide important information for general music educators in preK through fifth-grade musical development and application of authentic integration of music and other subjects. At this site you will also find the standards writing time line. Prepare now and become more informed about the National Common Core Music Standards! These will prove to be the basis of effective teaching, curriculum planning, and advocacy.

Have you saved 27 to 30 October for valuable professional development? The 2013 NAfME National In-Service Conference in Nashville has a wide offering of general music sessions ranging from arts integration to technology to specialty ensembles, lesson planning for educational reform to special needs students, to composition/improvisation for all! There is a free Opening Night Concert at the Grand Ole Opry House and a Disney Theatrical presentation. It’s not too late to attend. For more information, go to http://inserviceconference.nafme.org.

Although mentioned in the last issue, it is worth repeating the several excellent professional development sites online for members, all accessible through the NAfME website. Check out the Learning Network where you can take part in webinars—some are free (http://institute.soundtree.com/nafme). Connect with fellow educators through the music education forum where educators can post questions and provide information for others (http://musiced.nafme.org/forums). Finally, visit the General Music Education Interest Area that provides a synopsis of current writings on music education issues (http://musiced.nafme.org/category/interest-areas/general-music-education). Music educators are encouraged to submit offerings to all three areas. Contact me or NAfME if you are interested and need more information.

The Council for General Music Education is excited to welcome Sarah Bartolome as their chair-elect. Sarah is an assistant professor at Louisiana State University, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in music education. Previously, she taught elementary general music in Massachusetts. She has received additional training and certification in the Kodály method. Many of her presentations and publications are in the area of world music. She will take over as chair in July 2014.

It continues to be an honor to serve music educators as chair of the Council for General Music Education. Please feel free to contact me.