Files
Abstract
NAfME’s 2015 “Opportunity-to-Learn Standards Needs Based Checklist” outlines the basic and quality standard expectations for school music programs across several strands- Curriculum & Scheduling, Staffing, Materials & Accessories, and Facilities. This study examines the use of the OTLS among secondary choral music educators in the state of Georgia in both Title I and non-Title I schools in efforts to determine their ability to meet basic and/or quality level standards. This quantitative descriptive study seeks to fill a void of research regarding the use of OTLS and school choral music programs. In this research study 109 choral directors from the state of Georgia were surveyed using eight choral specific questions from the OTLS “Needs Based Checklist.” Additionally, demographic information such as school population, Title I designation, and annual choral budget was also used as a method of examining the differences between chorus programs at Title I and Non-Title I schools using a comparison of statement means. The statement mean across basic level standards was calculated to examine whether or not participants could meet basic level standards as prescribed by the OTLS. An independent samples t-test was also run to compare all statements selected (statement mean) of Title I and non-Title I schools. Findings concluded that non-Title I schools on average were able to select more statements per standard, (by .5) although over all participants at both Title I and non-Title I schools were unable to meet all basic or quality level consistently across each standard measured.