Teachers Say NO
to New Music Course of Study

Music teachers demand that the new CoS be delayed until 2009

"All school changes should be researched, tested and independently evaluated before they are implemented across the State, according to WA education expert [and Curriculum Council Chairman Professor] Bill Louden." The West Australian, 7 March 2007

Statement from the Churchlands Senior High School Music Department

Serious Concerns with the Music Course of Study The music department of Churchlands Senior High School has serious concerns about the new music course of study. There are fundamental problems with forcing diverse musical styles such as classical, popular and world music into one overall course. Currently two very necessarily different courses (MIS and TEE) accommodate the needs of these very different types of students. The compromises being made in the atmosphere of panic that passes for course development in the curriculum council have resulted in a course that will not suit either type of student. Almost every state in Australia has recognised this and offers at least two courses to reflect the diverse musical styles. Separate courses would avoid comical compromises such as the alternative section in the music exam for non music readers. There are severe problems with moderation between the tasks involved in the music reader and non reader sections of the exam. This is a ridiculous solution that will hopefully never see light of day, although as long as the CC pushes one single music course, whatever they come up with will be equally inadequate. Having two courses would allow assessments to reflect the specific merits and qualities of the different areas of study. While the new course of study is an improvement on the previous versions, there have been dramatic changes and very little meaningful consultation. There has been no attempt to trial the various areas of study in the classroom, essential to identify problems and solutions involved with moderating between the various areas now included in the course. We can not emphasize enough the difficulty of moderating between for example a classical pianist and a rap bass guitarist. The current time frame for implementation is ridiculously short. The course implementation should be delayed by one year to allow for action research (trials in selected schools) over the first semester of 2008. This allows six months for the course to be adjusted in the light of the practical experience gained in these trials. It is necessary to have at least two trials for EACH area of study. (Popular music, Music for Film and Television, Jazz, World music, Music Theatre, Classical Music and its component areas) This course is a compromise trying to be everything to everyone. If it was split into two courses there would be a groundswell of support from music teachers. Each subject could be better suited to the specific needs of each area of study. You need the good will of the music teaching community if you are to produce music courses that will provide better musical results for the students of Western Australia. The curriculum Council has paid lip service to the views of teachers as this course is developed on the run. Teachers should take every opportunity to make their views known.

 

The West Australian, Monday 12 March 2007

• Principals back call to delay OBE music course
  by Bethany Hiatt

  "Principals of the top music specialist State schools have backed teacher's calls to delay a controversial new outcomes-based education course that would pass Year 12s who are unable to read or write music.

  "Teachers furious that the Curriculum Council appears to be ignoring their views have collected more than 100 signatures from music teachers at 40 State schools demanding that it postpone the course until 2009 to allow time for changes.

  "Churchlands Senior High School principal Neil Hunt, who signed the petition, warned that the top subject prize could go to a student unable to read any music if the course went ahead in its current form.

  "The model being proposed has a multitude of problems and one of those is how it will be assessed," he said. "I believe the outcome of that can significantly erode the (music) standards we are used to seeing."

  "It is understood that John Curtin College of the Arts principal Mitchell Mackay has also signed the petition, which will be sent to the Council this week.

  "John Curtin and Churchlands are the only WA public schools offering specialised programs to gifted music students.

  "The call comes after more than 20 private school music teachers voted overwhelmingly in favour of postponing 2009 OBE music, which Year 11s are to start next year.

  "The West Australian last month revealed council plans for separate exams for students who could not read traditional musical notation, allowing them to use storyboards, graphic notation or guitar tab - a move that Churchlands music department head Glenn Robinson labelled a "comical compromise".

  "He said the course was being developed on the run and had elements that no one in WA had taught or tested before.

  "The Curriculum Council says the course is designed to be inclusive, so students studying popular, world or indigenous music are not expected to read traditional music.

  "But Mr Robinson said it was impossible to force such diverse musical forms into one course, or compare a classical pianist with a disc jockey.

  "Curriculum Council chief executive David Wood said the music curriculum committee would meet today to seek resolutions to the teachers' concerns."
  
  From The West Australian