According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, there are over 6 million children in American public schools receiving special education services. That's approximately 13% of the public school population. In addition, CDC data tells us that within the population of 3 to 17 year olds: 6.8% have an AD/ADHD diagnosis, 3.5% present behavioral based conditions, 3% suffer from anxiety, just over 2% suffer depression, and 1.1% are being diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder.
Our schools are more developmentally diverse than ever before. It is not uncommon for a single public school classroom to contain two or three classifications of students. Modern school populations are extraordinarily dynamic in terms of ability and disability. Evolutions in medicine, science, and technology have allowed for more thorough as well as earlier diagnoses, which has meant subsequent improvements to special education programs in our schools.
This translated to the genetic makeup of faculty and staff - which expanded to include therapists, in-class aids, and para professionals. In addition, the physical make-up of schools evolved to include self contained classrooms and/or whole buildings for autistic populations and/or students with behavioral classifications.
Our schools are more developmentally diverse than ever before. It is not uncommon for a single public school classroom to contain two or three classifications of students. Modern school populations are extraordinarily dynamic in terms of ability and disability. Evolutions in medicine, science, and technology have allowed for more thorough as well as earlier diagnoses, which has meant subsequent improvements to special education programs in our schools.
This translated to the genetic makeup of faculty and staff - which expanded to include therapists, in-class aids, and para professionals. In addition, the physical make-up of schools evolved to include self contained classrooms and/or whole buildings for autistic populations and/or students with behavioral classifications.
These same evolutions in science and technology have also shown the extraordinary effects music has on our brains, and our entire physiology. It is a dynamic art form capable of reaching students in ways others cannot. In 2011, the journal Science Daily reported a Finnish study showing how music stimulates sections of the brain that control emotion and creativity - as well as those responsible for motor movements. Stanford University produced a study showing how music improves attention span. In addition, an emerging field of study called Biomusicology has begun to question if music is a biological function in humans.
Seeing the evolution of music based research, and how it effects us, it would seem expanding the definition of "music education" is a logical evolution in our public schools. It's time to begin using music educators more in the education of varied learning types.
Seeing the evolution of music based research, and how it effects us, it would seem expanding the definition of "music education" is a logical evolution in our public schools. It's time to begin using music educators more in the education of varied learning types.
I have spent the last eleven years teaching music to varied populations of students. These include urban inner-city students; at-risk inner-city students in an alternative setting; students with autism; physically disabled students; and students with behavioral classifications. I know firsthand the dramatic effect music has on varied populations - and have seen some amazing things happen in music class. Based on this, I believe music is severely underused in the education of classified students. It not only needs to be used more - but music educators in particularly need to be given further instruction on how to teach and work with varied populations.
I studied a method of teaching music called Eurhythmics. I completed a three year study at The Juilliard School and have come to realize that becoming more dynamic is essential to the education of modern day public school populations. Eurhythmics is a method based in physical movement. It allows students to discover their unique temperament, and the role it plays in their emotions and social skills. It is a method that allows students to tap into the varied attributes of a dynamic form, and see, feel, and hear how they all work together. Having our music educators possess this and/or other techniques would benefit today's public school populations tremendously.
Education is a journey of self discovery. Questions such as "Who am I?", "What are my passions?", "What am I good at?", "How will I fit in to the world around me?" are daunting. How ever, they are also beautiful questions formed in young minds - regardless of ability, disability or classification. What better subject to provide beautiful and aesthetic answers than music?
