[Mpls] Arts in the Mpls schools

[David Brauer]

While again I ask posters to consider the vital School Board races at stake
at the moment, I thought list members might be interested in the results of
my MPS 2nd-grade son's teacher conference this a.m.:

It was 100 percent devoted to reading and math. And - for you test-o-philes
out there - many of the skills reviewed in this 2nd grade evaluation were
those that he will be tested on in the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment
test in 3rd grade (the tests the state report cards are based on).

On my way out the door, I asked the teacher - a 36-year veteran - whether he
felt his teaching is now dictated too much by the test. He said no; he felt
the test was becoming much better at measuring skills he has long thought
important. He also felt he retained enough discretion to teach what he wants
and in his way.

Anyway, the school seemed pretty darn focused on reading and math. So I hope
that's reassuring. (There is art & music instruction, but class time and
therefore evaluations are far less frequent.)

David Brauer
Kingfield