The Music Education Strategy 2019 to 2029 (PDF 1.8MB) sets out South Australia’s long-term vision that all children and young people throughout their education have access to high-quality music education that is valued and inspires learning.
The strategy recognises that music education provides numerous benefits to children and young people, including developing thinking and learning skills, lifting literacy and numeracy standards, building social inclusion and enhancing wellbeing. Early exposure to music activates social, behavioural and academic benefits that persist throughout a child’s education.
Areas of action
The strategy has the following main areas of action:
- Establish a ‘Music engagement network’ that will help schools create and sustain high-quality classroom music programs in the early years and in primary schools.
- Establish a fund to encourage investment in innovative practices, partnerships and programs that support schools to create and sustain quality music programs.
- Develop a framework to guide teachers, leaders, staff and partners as they make decisions about music education.
- Upskill non-specialist teachers to improve the delivery of general classroom music education by providing professional development for teachers.
- Explore opportunities to elevate music in tertiary and pre-service training for early years and primary teachers.
- Provide information to help students identify career and higher music education opportunities.
- Provide curriculum and pedagogy resources for early years and primary schools including a package for all primary schools, and tailored resources to support Aboriginal learners, learners in rural, remote and regional areas and learners with disability.
Vision and goals
The strategy’s vision and goals set out long-term aspirations for music education in South Australia. This strategy puts in motion the first steps that will be taken to achieve those aspirations over the next 4 years.
Vision
Throughout their education, all children and young people in South Australia have access to a high-quality music education that is valued and inspires learning.
Goals
- Everyone involved in children and young people’s learning understands the value of music education.
- Every child and young person has access to music education activities that start early and support the development of musical knowledge and skills over several years.
- Music education decisions across the public education system support children and young people in a way that is responsive and inclusive.
Key themes
The key themes that emerged from both research and consultation were:
- The value of music needs to be articulated and understood.
- Music education should be a continuum.
- Connections between people and supports in music education are critical.
- Music education should recognise and respond to barriers to children achieving success.
Focus on early years and primary education
Although the strategy sets a 10 year aspiration for music education, the current priorities for the strategy include a strong focus on early years and primary education as this is where music learning has been found to have the most impact on student development. Focusing on early and primary years also supports one of the key goals of the strategy which is to build the value of music education. Ensuring children and young people have access to a quality music education that starts early will emphasise its value with students and families which will, in turn, increase demand for quality music education in schools.
Implementation
From 2019, the implementation of the strategy will be phased over 4 years. We will monitor and evaluate implementation of the strategy through the collection and analysis of participation, retention and achievement data.
We will also establish a group of senior educators and music education experts to monitor outcomes and provide oversight for implementation.
Consultation
The strategy has been developed from a large body of evidence gathered through research, surveys, submissions and case studies, and discussions with students, teachers and leaders in South Australian schools. The strategy was further developed and refined following a series of workshops attended by music education experts, providers and suppliers, representatives from music and creative industries, and school and parent associations.
Contact
Music education strategy
Phone: 8226 5067
Email: education.musicstrategy@sa.gov.au
Author
South Australian Government
DATE Uploaded March 2019
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