PACE Expresses Concern Over Potential Changes To Arts Curriculum In Alberta

FYI - Candace Makowichuk
PACE Coordinator

SOME BACKGROUND....

I have just recently been made aware of a K-12 Arts Education Curriculum Framework June 2009 DRAFT. The majority of the public, fine arts teachers, and CBE trustees also had not heard of this draft, which will be voted on December 1, 2009, adversely affecting all of Alberta’s public school students, and negatively impacting post secondary institutions, which may then have to lower their standards.

The K-12 Arts Education Curriculum Framework June 2009 DRAFT can be found on the Alberta Government’s website at http://education.alberta.ca/teachers/program/finarts/program-updates.aspx.

It reads very well until pages 12 and 13.

If you do not want dance, drama, music, and visual art replaced by 1-credit (25 hour) modules; and do not want all the creative, dedicated, specialized teachers removed, then please email, write, phone or fax government officials to express your disapproval of this arts curriculum draft.

Please spread the word to family, friends, and acquaintances who are stakeholders in Alberta’s education system.

An Opinion Expressed by a Fine Arts Specialist and Students

New Arts Education Curriculum Information

The Alberta Government has recently released a draft of the new Arts Education Curriculum from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Upon an initial read of this document, it looks as though it is intended to encourage arts education and broaden opportunities for student achievement. However, the last two pages of the draft indicate that at the high school level, all current curriculum courses would be replaced by “modules” consisting of 25 hours each, to equal 1 credit. This may provide more opportunities for students to experience an array of art courses throughout their high school years, BUT the implications of this curriculum are detrimental to the quality of the future of music and art education. Some of the implications include the following:

Students taking 25-hour course modules would not allow nearly enough time for them to develop a full understanding of the specified content. For performance-based programs (music, dance and drama), students would not have the time to develop and achieve skills required to put on any type of performance. Our music ensembles would cease to exist, and students who excel in the arts would be extremely limited in their ability to continue to do so.
Pre-requisites would no longer exist, which would also prevent skill development at the high school level. Students graduating and looking to attend post secondary institutions would not have the required courses or skill level that is currently required within our province and across the country at other institutions. Eventually, post secondary institutions may have to lower their expectations, which in turn would lower the competency of our future artists and teachers.
It is not indicated anywhere in the document that a fine arts specialist (one with a fine arts degree) would be required to teach the courses at any level – elementary or secondary. This is an advantage to the rural communities in Alberta who are currently having difficulties recruiting skilled teachers, and is part of the driving force behind the new curriculum. However, this decision would affect the majority of the Alberta population and would sacrifice the knowledge and skills level of our current and upcoming teacher specialists. The curriculum should not require changing to appease the rural staffing challenge.

The 25-hour course modules would be a single-level course, which would not progress into any higher level courses, such as 10-20-30. Again preventing students from increasing and developing their skills and learning. Initially, schools may experience an increased enrolment in the arts, but with the lack of depth and commitment in the courses, many students may drop it altogether, especially in the higher grades.

These are only a few of the implications that would happen if this new curriculum were to be passed and implemented. The government plans on passing the curriculum on December 1, 2009 – only one month from now! If you feel deeply about the arts and your child’s education, please start spreading the word around regarding the implications of this document.

Share this information with your family and friends, students, and acquaintances, all of us stakeholders inAlberta’s Education system.

Visit PACE (Professional Arts Coalition of Edmonton) at www.pacedmonton.com

Also visit www.saveourfinearts.ca for more information.

 

Theatre Alberta encourages you to reveiw the information and to voice your opinion regarding these proposed changes

The Alberta Government will be voting on proposed changes to Alberta's Fine Arts Curriculm, as outlined in the document K-12 Arts Education Curriculum Framework June 2009 DRAFT. Theatre Alberta encourages our members to visit the Government of Alberta site that outlines the proposed changes. Once you have read the proposed changes and reviewed the questions the government asks regarding the proposed changes, please send any feedback you have before the January 31, 2010 deadline to:

Susan McLeod
Curriculum Manager - Arts Education
Arts, Communications and Citizenship
Alberta Education
susan.mcleod@gov.ab.ca