VPAA questions from teachers and administrators
I have been discussing the VPAA with teachers in Macomb County and in other parts of the state. It seems like the response from districts has been a mixed bag. Some districts are taking the arts credit seriously and are looking for help in designing appropriate instruction. Most, however, are so concerned with assigning Merit Core values to their ELA, math, and science classes that they have not had time to think beyond the "traditional " curriculum. I think it is important for arts teachers to become schooled in the arts credit guidelines and help keep the issue in front of administrators. I'm sure many on our VPAA team would be more than happy to speak to teachers or administrators in their geographic area.
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Michael, That is my hope as well.
Within the past few weeks, I've made presentations at:
1. The Michigan Music Conference - over 100 music educators
2. Michigan Association of Secondary School Princapls (MASSP)via their webinair process - about 10 principals from throughout the state
3. Career Education Conference - about 60 administrators and teachers (video, music and other CTE areas)
I've learned that:
a. the introductory level presentation (on this website) works well within a 1-hour workshop timeframe leaving sometime for questions - between 10 and 15 minutes depending on how closely you follow the script and control questions.
b. controlling questions is important if you are to provide everyone in the group a common base of info from which they can ask their questions. If you don't do this, one question (sometimes a gripe that becomes a litany of complaints) can divert the presentation and prevent the full group from getting the basics. What I've done is used index cards as a form of controlling the questions. Not only does it give you a chance to respond to questions in an organized manner, the person asking the question then has to formulate it - a good exercise.
c. I call this presentation an introductory level presentation so that in the future we can move on to other issues that need discussion, e.g. alignment, School Improvement Framework, etc.
The powerpoint presentation that is on this site is the first step of making VPAA presentation materials available to the VPAA Design Team.
My plan is to schedule a statewide videoconference in April that can help get the word out more broadly. The planning of that videoconference will be central to our next meeting.
The videoconference can be taped and played at the convenience of districts, schools, and teachers.
Once members of the VPAA Design Team feel more comfortable with the content and presentation materials, then my hope is that this team can extend MDE and ISD's reach 'exponentially.'
A question for Michael and others:
Would it be helpful for us to begin sharing the questions we are getting from teachers and administrators when we make these presentations?
This would not be a duplication of what is already in either of the MDE Frequently Asked Questions documents (MMC and VPAA specific documents available under Creativity Resources on this page).
And, we don't need to individually log the responses we give but would it be helpful to each of you as presenters to see the questions we are getting and perhaps practice how you might respond?
Please post your opinions on the usefulness of this here.
Ana
Michigan Music Educator Conference VPAA questions and comments.
Please note that ArtServe Michigan was also a presenter in this session, therefore, some of the questions and comments refer to advocacy which is beyond the scope of this design team.
Below, I've given how I responded or would respond to these questions. Your thoughts/ additional responses are welcomed. For easier tracking, I'm posting each question individually.
1. What can we as educators do to make the state government understand the urgent need for more money, not a cut?
Possible Response: Right not the legislature is considering the Governor's budget recommendations for next year. ArtServe Michigan or your professional associations are the best sources for information on how to approach communicating with your legislators on the proposed budget before them.
ArtServe Michigan offers:
- GrassRoots Arts Advocacy Network Distribution (GRAAND) e-alert through which they provide information to Michigan’s citizens, elected officials, and the statewide arts community about issues of importance to the arts on both state and federal levels.
To learn more about how ArtServe Michigan is working to increase support for arts and culture in Michigan through advocacy, email Drew Buchholz or call him at:
Lansing Office: 517-371-1720 or 1-800-203-9633
Southfield Office: 248-557-8288 ext. 12
You can subscribe to GRAAND at:
http://www.artservemichigan.org/advocacy/index.asp
Also, please note that ArtServe Michigan and partners are sponsoring and Arts and
Arts and Culture Advocacy Day
May 23, 2007
Radisson Hotel, Lansing MI
Followed by Lunch on the Capitol Lawn
Presented by ArtServe Michigan in Partnership with:
Historical Society of Michigan
Michigan Festivals and Events Association
Michigan Historic Preservation Network
Michigan Museums Association
Contact info for this event:
email: drew@artservemichigan.org
web: http://www.ArtServeMichigan.org
I think it would be greatly beneficial to share questions teachers and administrators ask during presentations and sessions. Many times, if one participant has a question, others do as well, however, they 'may not know it yet' or they are not sure how to word the question. If those questions can be posted and kept updated, they can become an informal FAQ that stems from the experiences, curiosities, and positions of those who are working to implement the programs.
Based on recent input from my Oakland Schools Fine Arts Advisory Council, there is, likewise, a great deal of concern here in Oakland County regarding how the VPAA requirement is being implemented in various districts and what other subject areas will be allowed to 'glam on'.
I also believe (and maybe it's just me) that the team might be losing the forest through the trees...meaning that I think we may be giving too much credit to what we THINK is happening, rather than to REALITY. There truly is great concern and confusion about the requirement, and a clarification letter from Flannagan to the superintendents (and curriculum directors) outlining the restrictions would certainly help. However, from my standpoint, part of our problem lies in the fragmentation of the various disciplines within districts. I was absolutely amazed at how many art and music departments never ever have K-12 meetings! Many (most?) are unaware of the original state benchmarks, and if they ever received a copy, they probably wouldn't be able to find it. Thus, in my opinion, all the work going on now with relation to the VPAA requirement must be formatted to be directly connected to the benchmarks, like literally on the same page. I am looking forward to the video conference tomorrow!
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