Dan McGuire wrote: This thread seems to be a pedagogy theory exercise right now. And while I actually have quite a bit of training and experience regarding both theory and practice, I think the list members and public in general will be better served if the discussion would be about actual experience and specific data from the MPS district office. I don't have that data and don't have time to go about getting it. I can offer you this little piece of anecdotal evidence; there is a high correlation between the students in my classes who have participated in band regularly or have participated in an arts activity outside of school regularly and high achievement in all academic areas. That's an observation that I've shared with most of the parents in recent conferences as their children have been setting goals for the year.
Mark Anderson replies: I agree totally that this is a pedagogy theory exercise. It SHOULD be such. We are discussing what should be taught in the Mpls schools -- shouldn't it be based on what is best for kids, and the best ways for the kids to learn? If the MPS has data that indicates what helps kids learn, I'd love to hear about it. I never thought they did research at their office; I would be interested if someone could show me otherwise. What do you mean by actual experience -- are you referring to anecdotal evidence? That has a limited value in my mind. Your anecdotal evidence matches reality pretty well, I believe. One of the studies that were previously posted to this List showed a statistical positive correlation between academic achievement and arts participation outside the regular classroom. The problem with the study is that it does not prove causation -- that the arts activity improved the academic achievement. I can think of half a dozen reasons why the kids that have extra-curricular arts activity outside the classroom would be the same kids with high academic achievement. That the arts activity itself raises their level of achievement is one of the least compelling possibilities, at least to me. Mark V Anderson Bancroft REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
