On May 3, 2010, Dr. Steven Schopp and James Cassara represented NYSSMA at a special meeting chaired by David Frey, Chair of the Higher Education Committee . Representing the Regents proposals were John King, Senior Deputy Commissioner, Office of P12 Education and Paul King, Executive Director, Office of the Arts and Special Projects for New York City. In addition to NYSSMA, the meeting included Dr. Patricia Wheelhouse and Craig Sherman from NYSCAME as well as representatives from New York State BOCES Arts in Education, NYSATA, the state Dance Association, and a representative for Art Administrators.
The first proposal outlined by Paul King asks for an endorsement for elementary teachers (K-2) to teach visual and performing arts after taking 12 – 15 arts credits in order to obtain an “arts annotation.” This request is an attempt to improve arts instruction in the New York City Schools based on the fact that only 39% of New York City Schools currently meet the requirements. Paul King also explained that in his estimate over 2,000 additional arts teachers would be needed at a cost of over 140,000,000. New York City enrolls 1/3 of all students in New York State!
Each of the represented arts organizations presented their views regarding this proposal which was not endorsed by any of the organizations present. NYSSMA stated our belief that students in New York City deserve the same high level of instruction as students in the rest of the state! The fact that common branch teachers already have the tacit "approval" to instruct students in music is partly responsible for the current failure of over 61% of NYC schools to comply with the current arts requirements. For the past few years we have heard from a variety of sources about the need for "highly qualified" teachers. The requested annotation hardly exemplifies that and in some schools may result in just the opposite.
The second proposal is a request to allow school districts to select any one or two arts disciplines (Music, Visual Art, Theater or Dance) to fulfill the one unit arts requirement at the middle school level. Currently, 7th and 8th graders must complete ½ unit of music and ½ unit of art. If this proposal is approved, students could fulfill the requirement without taking music or art.
Again, the major thrust for this proposal is New York City where only 63% of the school currently meet the requirements. In addition, many of the city schools have Dance and Theatre programs in place with instruction provided by certified teachers in those arts areas.
Joseph P. Frey again asked for our input on this proposal, NYSSMA stated its support of expanding opportunities for students in the areas of dance and drama, but not in lieu of the current requirements in music and visual arts. We expressed our concern that regulations designed to solve problems in New York City will have a negative impact on rural and suburban school districts where music and visual arts programs are in place and taught by certified music and art teachers. The approval of this proposal could result in students completing grade 8 without ever receiving instruction in music and/or art from a highly qualified, certified teacher. In the curent fiscal climate, this is a real possibility.
Mr. Frey requested each organization to send a written response to the two proposals so that he could accurately express sour views at the May Board of Regents meeting. NYSSMA's response was sent on May 13, 2010.
NYSSMA's letter is included as a separate page on the Advocacy site. Please refer to it for additional information.
NYSSMA'S response to the Joseph P. Frey
MOST RECENT INFORMATION
In a June 8, 2010 letter from John B. King, Jr. to the EMSC Committee he states:
"New York State Education Department (NYSED) staff will review the NYCDOE's variance request for providing excellence in education in grade seven and eight. If granted by the Commissioner, the variance would allow a three year pilot program of studeny in the NYC schools that choose to participate.
