Our "Both/And" Moment

Here, Allsup say the accountability juggernaut, so powerful just a few years ago, is showing signs of strain as parents, teachers, politicians, and administrators exhibit startling symptoms of assessment fatigue. Stakeholders want more art and music in their schools, not less. The values of informal learning are blurring nicely with the principles of schooling, reminding them all over again that teachers and teaching still matter. And then, a funny thing happened on the way to band's demise. It hasn't occurred. School and university bands, choirs, and orchestras are, arguably, as strong as they've ever been. Young people continue to find immense satisfaction by playing and singing with others. Popular music has not overturned their profession, only made it more interesting.