National Review of School Music Education - Murdoch Research ...

Research objectives
The detailed multi-modal research strategy included the following elements:
• Review of international and Australian research findings on music education in schools;
• Identification of music education provisions in Australian school education authorities’
curriculum frameworks and documents in relation to hours of instruction (core and
elective), the nature and scope of the curriculum, and expected outcomes at each level of
schooling;
• Mapping of areas of commonality and difference in curricula across jurisdictions;
• Research to compare Australian school music curricula with overseas curricula;
• Provision of data on school student participation and achievement in music education;
• Mapping of the delivery of curriculum in classrooms across Australia at all stages of
schooling, including the identification of areas of commonality and difference and the
provision of specialist teachers;
• Identification of the provision for music education through extra-curricular activities,
including instrumental instruction and performance;
• Plotting the role and nature of links with external music education providers and
examination boards; and
• Cataloguing effective practice in music education, both overseas and in Australia.
1.3 Why now?
There is widespread recognition that music is an important part of every child’s education. There is
also a general perception that Australian school music education is approaching a state of crisis.
The Stevens Report (2003) provided an initial examination of music achievement and provision,
and this highlighted the need for more comprehensive research.
This Review is also impelled by evidence from United States research (Champions of Change, Fiske,
1999) and current Australian studies, that education in the Arts (including music) has potential to
significantly enhance the skills children need to flourish in the knowledge economy. These studies
identify that through the Arts students achieve diverse and valuable educational ends that also have
positive flow-on effects to other areas of learning. Music is acknowledged as an important area of
arts education that can provide powerful learning experiences for young people.
1.4 Who is this Review for?
The Hon Dr Brendan Nelson MP, Australian Government Minister for Education, Science and
Training, commissioned the Review.
Its findings and recommendations are of interest to a range of stakeholders in music, music
education, arts education and education generally, including:
• Commonwealth and State and Territory Ministers of Education and Ministers for Arts
and Culture;
• Australian Government departments such as DEST, DCITA;
• State and Territory Departments of Education and Training, and Departments of Culture
and the Arts ;
• State and Territory Assessment Authorities (ACACA);
• School sectors and individual schools;
• School Principals, Administrators and Leaders such as School Council and School
Management group members;
• Teachers;
2 NATIONAL REVIEW OF SCHOOL MUSIC EDUCATION