Student Participation Impacts

Current enrollments in band and choir are listed in Figures 5a and 5b. Specific observations related to the status of individual programs are included following the enrollment figures for each area. General observations related to each area are listed below.

1. Student participation in music is generally low. Contributing factors include but are not limited to the following:
   • Scheduling difficulties, number of periods per day, itinerant teachers, blocks.
   • Changing and/or increasing graduation requirements.
   • The absence of a unified staff, curriculum and community support organization.
   • The absence of a music supervisor to unify and supervise staff and curriculum, and provide leadership for unified constituent support.

2. In observing enrollment trends, any enrollment disparity or attrition rate in excess of 15% from one year to the next should be examined for causality.

3. Attrition will tend to be increased under the following configurations:
   • When beginning band is delayed until after grade 5.
   • When the instrumental or choral performance organization is configured as a "pull out" program in the middle or senior high school.
   • When instruction in the middle or senior high school is other than daily.
   • When music teacher loads are so large that attention to individual student needs is minimal or absent.

4. In general, research indicates that the earlier a students starts the study of music the greater it will effect overall academic growth.

   Figure 5a: STUDENT PARTICIPATION - BAND (1998-99)
   School	Gr 5	Gr 6	Gr 7	Gr 8	Gr 9	Gr lO	Gr 11	Gr l2	Total
   Columbia El									0
   Condon El									0
   John Gumm El									0
   McBride El									0
   Yankton El									0
   (Elementary Band)	3	71							74
   St Helens JH			43	32					75
   St. Helens HS					35	21	13	11	80
   Totals	3	71	43	32	35	21	13	11	80
   District Enrollment	229	193	213	211	226	228	165	140	2702
   % of Total Enroll	1%	37%	2O%	15%	15%	9%	8%	8%
   1.Enroll Disparity			-39%	-26%	9%	-4O%	-38%	-15%
   2.Max 15%		71	60	51	44	37	32	27	322
   3.65%+15%max	160	136	115	98	83	71	60	51	775

   Observations:

   1. The total number of students participating in band is 229, plus 16 enrolled in Jazz Band.

   2. A total of 171 secondary students participate in the band program. The lack of greater (normal) enrollments in band is in part a reflection of the current presence of inhibitors to student participation.

   3. Enrollement disparities (1) in all grades should be examined for causality.

   4. Individual school enrollment trends should be examined to determine causality where excessive disparities in enrollment rates are evident.

   5. Three grade 5 students participate in the band program. The district should develop specific policies establishing the basis upon which students shall be allowed to participate in band in grade 5, or they may become liable for lawsuits related to equal access.

   6. The administrative decision to eliminate grade 5 band has had obvious effects on student participation.

   7. Enrollment disparities also indicate the frustration and/or boredom that students experience when faculty loads or schedules are such that students are unable to get adequate individualized assistance through small group instruction. While total enrollment in band has continued to be high, overall student competence achievement has diminished as noted in the lack of ensemble and solo performances at state festivals.

   8. Significant growth may be anticipated when inhibitors to student participation are reduced or removed.
      1. Exemplary programs consider 65% to be the low-end target rate for grade 5 participation in band.

      2. If the district assumed the current grade 6 enrollment as "normal" and reduced the enrollment disparities to a maximum of 15%2, student participation in band would be 322. Of these students, 251 would be in grades 7-12.

      3. If the district would move to facilitate 65% participation in grade 5 band and work to reduce enrollment disparities to a maximum of 15% (2), total enrollment in band would be 775. Of these students, 479 would be in grades 7-12.

      4. Current enrollment patterns indicate the possibility of achieving the full potential of student participation levels of an exemplary district. The achievement of this potential would provide significant financial advantage to the district (See Economic Impacts).

      Figure 5a: STUDENT PARTICIPATION - Choir (1998-99)
      School	Gr 5	Gr 6	Gr 7	Gr 8	Gr 9	Gr lO	Gr 11	Gr l2	Total
      Columbia El									0
      Condon El									0
      John Gumm El									0
      McBride El									0
      Yankton El									0
      (Elementary Choir)	52	37							89
      St Helens JH				11					11
      St. Helens HS					17	41	20	8	86
      Totals	52	37	0	11	17	41	20	8	186
      District Enrollment	229	193	213	211	226	228	165	140	2702
      % of Total Enroll	23%	19%	O%	5%	8%	18%	12%	6%
      1.Enroll Disparity		-29%	NA	NA	55%	141%	-51%	-60%

      Observations:

      1. The total number of students participating in choir is 186, plus 14 enrolled in Sound Trak.

      2. A total of 111 secondary students participate in the choir program. The lack of greater (normal) enrollments in choir is in part a reflection of the current presence of inhibitors to student participation.

      3. Enrollment disparities1 in all grades should be examined for causality.

      4. Individual school enrollment trends should be examined to determine causality where excessive disparities in enrollment rates are evident.

      5. The elective participation of 89 grade 5 and 6 students in the after-school choir program is indicative of high interest in singing, particularly when they know that choir is not an option in grade 7.

      6. The middle school scheduling format that has eliminated the option for a grade 7 choir experience has had obvious negative effects in enrollment patterns in grades 8-12. The implementation of the block schedule at the high school only serves to complicate the problem. It should be noted that although the high school band meets daily, no such arrangement has been facilitated for any of the choirs.

      7. Enrollment disparities also indicate the frustration and/or boredom that students experience when faculty loads or schedules make it impossible for students to get adequate individualized assistance through small group instruction.

      8. Significant growth may be anticipated when inhibitors to student participation are reduced or removed. Current enrollment patterns indicate the possibility of achieving the full potential of student participation levels of an exemplary district. The fact that enrollment in the secondary choir program has doubled under current leadership further substantiates student desire to participate in choir. The achievement of this potential would provide significant financial advantage to the district (See Economic Impacts).

      Extensive case studies indicate that when the elementary instrumental and/or choral feeder system is eliminated, the subsequent decline in student participation will be a minimum of 65%. Student participation patterns in the SHSD affirm that data.

   Introduction
   History of Music in the St. Helens Public Schools
   Short and Long Term Impacts
   Curriculum Impacts
   Economic Impacts
   Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
   Appendix A
   What Makes A Strong Program
   Bibliography
   Return to Debby Lyttle's Home Page