Opinion: Music Programs Are Instrumental to Education, So Stop Cutting Them

I can't believe a school would think cutting its entire music program would be a good idea. I'm a high-schooler and music is a big part of my life. I play four instruments, two in band at school, and solos as well. Without having taken lessons from third grade on up, I could not be in the band at my high school, because I wouldn't be good enough. Taking music lessons or being involved in a music program at school helps kids learn to manage time wisely, as I know from experience. Because I have music to practice, I know I have to work hard in school and use my time wisely.

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Maybe schools should consider reasonable teachers' salaries so that they have enough money for such programs. Where I live, kindergarten teachers make $81,000/year after 10 years of teaching! That's for 8 months of work! Unfortunately, the school districts are forced to make decisions based on what the teachers unions want rather that what is best for the students, so funds will continue to be wasted.

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Another thing, if a school has enough money to be paying a kindergarten teacher 81,000 a year, they are probably not the schools that are cutting their music programs. It is the schools in the lower income range that are cutting all these programs and it's unfortunate because these are the children that desperately need these programs.

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It is very wrong of you to assume that simply because the children aren't in school, that the teachers aren't working. It is a thankless job that people do because they love it and they feel they have a calling. You are one of the few people that believe that teacher's are being paid too much. Teachers today are educating the leaders of tomorrow. You would think that you couldn't put a price on that.

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I don't remember ever saying that everyone should give up their incomes so that we could only pay the teachers. That is just a ridiculous statement to make. And I have never heard of a kindergarten teacher that makes 81,000 a year until reading your post. Since I don't know how reliable you are, I am going on what I know which is that the average salary is MUCH less than 81,000 a year. Having come from a long line of teachers and on my way to becoming one myself, I can tell you that I have never wanted to be a teacher because of how easy it is. If that is why you are doing it, you are doing it for the wrong reasons. And since when do we "throw" money at schools? As far as I know schools have been facing budget cuts for years and many are being forced to close.

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Lisa, I'm afraid your comments are the same comments I here constantly from parents/community members that have no real concept of how schools are operated or how teachers are trained and carry out their jobs.

As a teacher of nearly ten years, I can assure you that schools in no way "waste" money. The budget problems that we are seeing in today's schools are not the result of wasteful spending, they are the result of state leaders continually slashing state contributions to education. Most school districts do the best they can with what little they receive, and unfortunately it sometimes leads to understaffing and cut programs.

I am deeply offended by your assertion that teachers are overpaid. Teachers must undergo continuing education, attend seminars, and do much more outside of the 8-3 school day than most people realize and yet must juggle family time. We have specialized degrees. We design our daily curricula with each individual student in mind. We engage in co-curricular activities with our students.

I'd like to address the variations in school quality that you mentioned. I come from an economically depressed region, with mostly below- to average performing students, and I have taught in schools with mostly above average students. The "variations in school quality" have more to do with the clientele than the teachers. In general, parents in regions of low socioeconomic status do not value education to the same degree that a parent in a wealthy suburb does, and this is why so many rural schools are seen as underperforming and the suburban schools are seen as "the norm."

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When have public schools NOT been in a budget crunch? No matter how much money we throw at them, it's never enough.

Who are the kids who are utilizing the band program? Probably most of them could afford to pitch in a few bucks to keep the program going. Cutting instructional time could be offset by greater effort on the part of students, more in line with what they should be doing in the first place.

Just because music education is beneficial doesn't mean every American kid has a right to free music lessons. Some things are more important.

On the sports topic, I'm told the problem is that the community is willing to foot the bill for sports and then some. If the program doesn't have a net cost, then obviously it's not going to be on the list of budget cuts.

Teacher salaries, in my opinion, are (on average) neither unreasonably high nor low. People should include all the "benefits" (including heath, retirement, days off, job security, etc.) in the discussion; looking at only the base salary is very misleading. And, if some teachers make over $80K, more power to them, provided it's based on merit.

The bigger problem is the non-local government control of schools. Regulations and requirements that cost a lot, detract from learning, and don't necessarily benefit the local population (or any population for that matter). Think about the money, time, and other resources spent on "hot lunches" at school. There is absolutely no need for any child to eat a hot lunch at school, ever. Think about the amount of tax money the USA spends on this completely unnecessary, unhealthy program. Oh, what an intelligent educator could do with all that money.

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