2nd post

Should improvisation be included in the "musical skills" learning area? Why or why not?

-aNd-

How do you feel about the use of standardized musical tests as part of an overall assessment program?

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Improvisation should definitely be included in the "musical skills" learning area. Improv is to music teachers as open ended questions are to english teachers. Nobody knows what you're thinking unless you're allowed to step out of the box. The first couple improvs are tricky. Sometimes if you do it in smaller groups, it allows students to pull together their true creativity. And how many pianists do you know that are only able to "just play what's in front of me" instead of what's going on inside their head? Improv is freedom in a nutshell, and although it takes development, teachers should take time (especially elementary and middle school) out of their schedules to allow students to think for themselves and not let the octavo do the work.

Standardized music tests are complete and utter bull. Music, unless judged through a box by well informed educators, cannot have numbers attached to it (unless its a tempo marking or time signature). I think we've all been through the MENC audition process where the top scores move on to Districts/Regionals/States/All American/Hall of Fame/Immortal. However its ultimately a means of judging a gift.
Did you ever tell your aunt that the sweater she got you for Christmas sucks? Then you tell her that you returned the thing and wished she would never do you the favor of buying you another piece of clothing. That must be what it feels like to prepare rigorously for a test or competition and "fail" miserably. Unfortunately for the student, there's no returning their "failure" of a gift and instead we're left as music educators to deal with a child who doesn't want to do the work anymore. Now they're stuck in the corner and it's all your fault. You should have just said thank you and kept the sweater. Numbers can be overly revealing and they embrace standards that we don't really believe in as music educators. Learn to grade wisely.