MTNA assessment tools--BRAVO!(Forum focus: independent music teachers)

BRAVO to the team who created the new MTNA Assessment Tools for the Independent Music Teacher! The document, unveiled in the August/September 2004 AMT, offers a concise three-part evaluation process designed to aid independent teachers with assessing various aspects of their work. Up to this point the independent music teaching profession has existed basically without any well-defined expectations or uniform standards. But now, we all have an excellent instrument, which provides just that--while helping us evaluate the effectiveness of our teaching methods, curriculum, business practices and student/parent relations.

To get a better idea of how it works, I recruited three colleagues to complete the "Peer Assessment," and three parents to complete the "Client Assessment." The parents believed the assessment was quick, covering all essential items for the studio and their child's instruction. One commented that she appreciated receiving periodic communication during the year regarding her child's progress and that payment, attendance policies and study/practice expectations are clearly stated. Another wrote that her children "never complain about coming to lessons!" Always good to know! The assessment took each parent about ten to fifteen minutes to complete.

The "Peer Assessment" took longer to finish. Upon glancing at the list of questions, we all wondered, "How can you possibly do all this in one lesson?" But upon further discussion, we realized we probably do touch upon most of the curriculum aspects at some point in any given lesson--just not always in depth. The "Peer Assessment" ideally could be done by having colleagues observing several students in several lessons during the course of the year. This would provide a better overall evaluation of student progress and balanced curriculum content. It also would be a good idea to ask colleagues to review the content thoroughly before observing lessons and perhaps discuss the content ahead of time. That way, they could spend their time actually observing the lesson and do their writing later. I especially liked the Lesson Assessment questions D through J in this assessment--a really great summary of where we need to be as teachers.

The "Self-Assessment" was enlightening in a variety of ways. First, it did affirm I am on target in many aspects of ...