Posted by Christine on December 19, 2006 at 10:00:47:
In Reply to: Gordon Music Assessment posted by 000170831 on October 11, 2006 at 08:59:47:
I do not use an aptitude test at my school, though I have some interest in testing my students as kindergarteners, and periodically during elementary school, to see what each child's strengths and weaknesses are. According to people I have talked to who have used the Gordon tests, they are very accurate at assessing a child's rhythmic and tonal perception.
However, the tests assess the children's APTITIDE, their raw potential, not their achievement. Many children who have average aptitudes also have a strong interest in music and a family who encourages their interests and makes sure that they are exposed to lots of musical experiences. Children with high aptitudes have the potential to achieve more musically, but if they have poor work habits or who do not have parents who encourage them to practice at home, this high aptitude level will only carry them so far. It is more important for children to have a great interest in learning to play an instrument and the work habits and parental support required to keep a regular habit of practice than that a child has a high musical aptitude to ensure their success in band or on any particular instrument. Our jobs as music teachers are to encourage interest in music regardless of a student's aptitude, because we have the ability as teachers to increase each student's achievement, i.e. what they actually can do with the potential they have. I have special ed students in my Orff ensemble, some of whom have average or below average musical abilities, and yes, my Orff ensemble might sound better and it would be less work and stress for me if I did not allow these students in the group as I have to put more effort into helping them learn than I do the other students, but they are enjoying themselves and doing their best, and are in fact improving their musical achievement in being a part of the group. Our band also includes a few students who have below average musical aptitude, and yes, our band teacher has to give these students more assistance, and it may slightly bring down the overall level of the band, BUT.... our job as music teachers is to meet the needs of all students and provide them with as many musical experiences as possible. A more effective way of improving an elementary band program would to have a stronger general music program beginning in kindergarten or even pre-K if possible, to increase all students' aptitude while their is still an opportunity to do so and of course to increase their achievement and musical skills prior to starting band. Read what John M. Feierabend has to say about aptitude vs. achievement and musical intelligence: http://www.giamusic.com/music_education/feierabend/articles/intelligence.html
: I am looking for School Districts/teachers who use the Gordon Music Apptitude Test to assess elementary students. My district currently uses nothing to assess students before they are handed an instrument, except for the question "what do you want to play?" I am looking into purchasing the Gordon Assessment tools, but would like some feedback from those of you who use it. Is it effective? Has it improved your elementary instrumental program? Has it improved student retention? Please feel free to e-mail me directly at dmccross@fcusd.org.