Memorandum
TITLE: / Assignment of Arts Education Itinerant Teachers (Music) /
ROUTING
Local District SuperintendentsLocal District Administrators, Instructional Services
Principals
Elementary Music Teachers
NUMBER: / MEM-3853
ISSUER: / Alma Peña-Sanchez, Assistant Superintendent
Elementary Instruction
Instructional Support Services
DATE: / July 18, 2007
PURPOSE: / This Memorandum is to provide administrators with information regarding the Elementary Music Instructional Program. The content reflects specific scheduling information and provides advance notice of music teachers’ required professional development.
MAJOR
CHANGES: / This memorandum replaces Bulletin M-58 and updates MEM-1987.
INSTRUCTIONS: / I. INTRODUCTION
The District Arts Education Plan provides a music teacher to each elementary school and primary center a minimum of one day per week. There are two types of opportunities – a vocal/general program or instrumental program.
The vocal/general music teacher provides a standards-based instructional program in music for students. The instrumental music teacher provides standards-based music instruction utilizing woodwind, brass and string instruments.
II. SCHEDULING
Vocal/General Music
1. The music teacher provides seven 30-minute lessons and a 50-minute chorus session or nine 30-minute lessons each instructional day. The size of each class per lesson is in accordance with grade-level District guidelines.
2. Rigorous music instruction is sequential and comprehensive. The music teacher will teach and assess the same classes each week.
3. The same classes remain on the music schedule for an entire school year. The opportunity for schools to purchase additional days of music instruction is offered each year. The Arts Education Branch will assist with this process.
4. On professional development banked time days, exceptions in scheduling must be made to accommodate the early dismissal. Schools may decide to keep the requisite number of classes by shortening the class time, shortening the time between classes by 5 minutes or not scheduling the school chorus.
Instrumental Music
1. Instrumental music instruction is scheduled by instrument type and in ensembles, such as a band or string ensemble. The length of the class depends on the type of instrument (e.g. violin, clarinet) and experience of students (e.g. beginning, intermediate, advanced). A comprehensive instrumental program includes some ensemble experiences scheduled for students.
2. On professional development banked time days exceptions in scheduling must be made to accommodate early dismissal. Examples of effective accommodations include the combining of similar instruments and the scheduling of various levels of ensembles.
The Arts Education Branch requires that all music teachers receive approval of their schedules from the Branch prior to the beginning of the instruction.
III. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
A. Type of Professional Development
The Arts Education Branch schedules professional development for all Elementary Arts Teachers including music teachers by utilizing the following venues:
1. Buy Back Days
2. Fall and Winter Institutes
3. Professional Development Banked Time Days
B. Implications for scheduling
1. Buy Back Days:
Music teachers and peer coaches attend optional buy back days arranged by the Arts Education Branch. Any music teacher assigned to a traditional calendar school may request to participate in that school’s buy back days.
2. Fall and Winter Institutes:
Music teachers whose payroll is reported by the Arts Education Branch are required to attend these days. All other elementary music teachers are cordially invited to attend the institutes with the approval of their site administrator.
3. Professional Development Banked Time Days:
The Arts Education Branch arranges required professional development for elementary music teachers in accordance with the number of required minutes stipulated in the UTLA contract.
ASSISTANCE: / For assistance or further information please contact Steve Venz, Specialist, Elementary Music at (213) 241-0505 or .
MEM-3853 1 of 3 July 18, 2007
Instructional Services