Trust… But Verify!
After three years of work we finally finished our major project conducting an arts education census of every public school for the state of New Jersey. It was a long, involved, complicated process involving two agencies of state government, dozens of organizations, hundreds of people and thousands of schools. The results create the most comprehensive […]
Sandy Feldstein
I heard the news today… It is with great sadness, that my mom, Tracy and I announce that Sandy Feldstein has ended his year long battle with cancer. We were all together at home in Tarzana California when he passed very early this morning. He was at peace, surrounded by his family and the […]
“Money doesn’t make the difference, accountability does.”
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the city’s plans to add accountability in arts education to the measures principals will be graded on for the success of their schools. This announcement follows months of concern that the Department of Education was more concerned about releasing the funds that had been dedicated to the arts […]
U.S. House Unanimously Passes Resolution Supporting School-Based Music Education
Members of Congress passed House Concurrent Resolution 121 unanimously, showing a display of continued support from Congress for music education as part of a complete education for all children. This provides another tool for advocates to use when making the case for the importance of music in our schools. Tip of the hat to NAMM […]
Mentions are Nice – Mandates Matter
I have been asked over the years why I have been such a forceful proponent of mandates. Many individuals, and even organizations have commented we should be happy with standards and to be included in lists of core curriculum. I am not suggesting these have not been important accomplishments in the evolution of music and […]
How Bush education law has changed our schools
USA Today published this excellent review of the impact of No Child Left Behind on the 5th anniversary of the enactment of the law: How Bush education law has changed our schools By Greg Toppo, USA TODAY The walls are speaking these days at Stanton Elementary School in Philadelphia, and they're talking about test scores. […]
And in this corner…
Happy New Year Everyone! Well to start us off on the proper footing we have two news stories that are certain to spark the debate over the "best" music to use for "teaching" music. In the corner to our left we have no lesser a fellow than famed cellist Julian Lloyd Webber. According to an […]
Time to Revise the National Standards for Arts Education
The World Wide Web had yet to go mainstream. No eBay, no YouTube, no Amazon, no iPod. Apple was in the computer business, Google was not even a dream. Musical tones were generated from electric boxes with cords and plugs. Desktop music making was more concept than reality. Mashing was for potatoes. Hip Hop was […]
AT EVERY SCHOOL, FOR EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY
San Francisco's ambitious arts education master plan has been released to much well deserved fanfare. Antigone Trimis, the Arts Education Master Plan Implementation Manager for the SFUSD, penned this thoughtful article on what all this means for the cities students. For those involved in arts education and school reform reading this article, and reviewing the […]
The Music in Me – Post Your Comments
Back Stage at Carnegie Hall! Back Row: Scott McCormick (Music for All), Bob Morrison (Music for All), Joe Lamond (NAMM), Middle Row: Mary Luehrsen (NAMM), Leslie Stifelman (Exec. Producer), Diane Kolyer (Producer), Dolores Morris (HBO), Matt Carter (Music for All) Front Row: Qaasim, Elena, Guyland, Tyler and Nathan (The stars of The Music in Me) […]
