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assessment

Consider responding to the article “Standardized tests suck. But the fix is more data, not less”

I am continually fascinated by the amount of journalism about education issues that excludes citations to research on whatever topic is being addressed or educators’ perspectives. Here’s a recent article by Jason Tanz on Wired.com entitled “Standardized tests suck. But the fix is more data, not less.” Unfortunately, it is lacking in terms of citing research on assessment or including quotes from or perspectives of educators. Interesting timing for music educators given that the 5th International Symposium on Assessment in… Read More »Consider responding to the article “Standardized tests suck. But the fix is more data, not less”

National Core Arts Standards Public Review: Music and Media Arts for your consideration

The Core Arts Standards are now available for public review. A video orientation helps in providing some background information but you will probably want to take a look at the conceptual framework of the core arts standards as well. It is critical that music educators participate in the public review process, analyze the proposed standards, provide specific feedback and critique, and propose potential alternatives if they are not satisfied with those proposed. It may be helpful to consider concrete examples… Read More »National Core Arts Standards Public Review: Music and Media Arts for your consideration

Developing the debate for “Assessment on our own Terms” and contributing to related discourse

The article Assessment on Our Own Terms by Samuel Hope and Mark Wait is an important read for music educators and anyone who deals with arts education, assessment, or policy connected to arts assessment or evaluation. The article makes a strong case for staying true to assessment that makes the most sense for music education and leads to improvement and learning. Towards the end of the article, Hope and Wait (2013) address the importance of having a strong foundation in… Read More »Developing the debate for “Assessment on our own Terms” and contributing to related discourse

American Idol, Judging, & The EveryFan Sensibility

Just as the NAEP provides a national assessment of 8th graders’ music and arts education, I think the commentary surrounding Ellen DeGeneres’s role as the newest judge on American Idol is also worth looking at in terms of assessing the state of music education in the US. In articles across the Internet such as this one from Craig Berman for MSNBC, the notion of an “EveryFan Sensibility” is lauded in terms of average people not having the knowledge or desire… Read More »American Idol, Judging, & The EveryFan Sensibility

What's your position on assessment?

MENC is currently accepting feedback on a current draft in progress of a position statement on assessment in music education. This is a great opportunity to reflect on our own perspectives and class/school/music department policies on assessment. Do we make use of both summative and formative assessment? What are our criteria for assessing our students? Are we using authentic assessment? Do our students practice self or peer assessment? Do our students keep process and product portfolios? Over a year ago… Read More »What's your position on assessment?