Bay Section Update

by Keith Johnson

I hope that you’ve had a great holiday season and have been able to recharge and plan for the rest of the school year. Like every school district across the country, my school district continues to provide updates for COVID-19 protocols as new information becomes available. It has been disheartening to see the continued use of the term “extra-curricular” when defining music classes. I took a small step in my district by sending an email clarifying the use of the term. I’d like to share it with you as it generated many positive comments from the staff and started many positive conversations on this topic in our district. Wishing you all a safe, healthy, and musical 2022!

Subject: Using the term "Extra-Curricular" Date: November 16, 2021 at 1:34:38 PM PST

As educators we often use the term extra-curricular to define activities or classes that fall outside of the scope of “core” academic subjects. For most, core subjects include math, reading/language arts, science, and history/social science, leaving other subjects to be defined as electives, extra-curricular, or co-curricular. By definition, extra-curricular means outside of the curriculum or program of study, however this definition is used to define everything from after school athletic activities, elective courses (which include AP classes), and visual and performing arts courses. For those of us that teach in these subject areas, the term extra-curricular can, in many ways, diminish the importance of the courses we teach. It is important that as educators we recognize the impact of this term when referring to courses that are taught at our school, and have a clear understanding of what the “core” curriculum is.

In 2015 the United States signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which replaced the No Child Left Behind Act. The ESSA added music and the arts to the list of “core academic subjects,” which is now defined as a “well-rounded education” in ‘‘(52) WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION.—The term ‘wellrounded education’ means courses, activities, and programming in subjects such as English, reading or language arts, writing, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, geography, computer science, music, career and technical education, health, physical education, and any other subject, as determined by the State or local educational agency, with the purpose of providing all students access to an enriched curriculum and educational experience.’’ https://www.help.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/ESSA%20 FINAL%20Conference%20Report.pdf

The list of subjects defined as a "well-rounded education" is much deeper than the traditional “core” subjects that I mentioned previously. Additionally, the language in the law states “any other subject, as determined by the State or local educational agency” is a part of a well-rounded education. The State of California recognizes the following as its focus Curriculum and Instruction Areas: • Health • History-Social Science • Mathematics • Physical Education • Reading/Language Arts • Science • Visual & Performing Arts • World Language https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/cimegasubjectareas.asp

California requires specialized instruction in these areas; a minimum of a bachelor's degree and single-subject teaching credential. Each subject also has its own set of state and national standards. It’s also important to note that the WCCUSD Board of Education has kept music and the arts as a key component to its “Educating the Whole Child'' vision for our district. I understand this may seem like a small issue, but it is important that we recognize the arts for what they are; a core subject, not an extracurricular activity, especially around our students, colleagues, and parents.

Thank you for taking the time to read this message and for your ongoing support of the visual and performing arts on our campus!