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Climbing the Research Mountain

I created this post as part of my Methods of Research class in University of Florida's online master of art education program.  We have our own class blog sites, which are only viewable to professors and classmates.  This class has been extremely challenging, so I felt compelled to post my reflections on my personal blog.  


Wow…. Here we are in our last week of class and as I look back to my first discussion post, I realize I have learned a great deal about research methods. As I started out climbing the research mountain, I didn’t have much of a vantage point. I could only see what was around me. The tip of the mountain seemed far off in the distance. During week one, we learned about how to best analyze and decode research papers. Learning how to read research properly is the foundation of understanding the purpose and intention of the researcher. It’s also the foundation to one’s own research. Just as art is not created in a vacuum, research begets other research. It inspires and informs. It’s the basis of our own scholarly research. It’s the map and compass of our research journey.

When I first started out on my research journey, I thought I’d explore themes of feminism and visual culture. But, art advocacy kept entering my mind, especially after reading Laura Chapman’s Status of Elementary Art Education: 1997-2004. Chapman’s article became the torch that I used to illuminate my path. It helped me to see what was important to me…the access of art education programs in every school in America. Because we can’t research everything all at once, I had to make a choice. So, I chose the art advocacy path and forged ahead. 

Each step up the mountain offered more insights as we learned about different research methods. When I got to the narrative research part of the mountain, I wanted to set up camp and take in my surroundings. I found myself drinking in the narrative research readings from week three. As I read Moen’s article Reflections on the Narrative Research Approach, I began to see ways in which I could include teacher’s voices in a scholarly manner to inform readers of the importance of art education in between the lines and beyond the statistics in Chapman’s article. While I was resting at the narrative research summit, I also explored readings beyond our classroom list. I felt compelled to find out more about narrative research as a methodology, and Josselson outlined the ethics issues in narrative research quite nicely for me in The Ethical Attitude in Narrative Research. Reading this article prior to engaging in my interview with an elementary school art teacher for my pilot study, was imperative. It taught me about keeping the voice of the participant intact, and also the importance of asking questions in an ethical manner, without leading the subject. 

I think my biggest takeaway from this class, is my improved work ethic and my drive to keep on going. This class has not been easy. There were many stumbling blocks and obstacles on my research journey. There were times when I felt like a failure, when I couldn’t understand the concepts in our readings or when the journey felt too difficult to go on. With every step, I gained more confidence. Sometimes not understanding a concept can be a blessing, as I searched for more information to illuminate understandings and gained even more insights. 



As I reached the top of the research mountain in this class, I have an amazing vantage point. I can look down and see how far I’ve come. I can also see that tops of other mountains yet to climb. It’s an exciting prospect, as I take in my surroundings, reflect on how far I've come, and feel hopeful about the amazing discoveries yet to be made. 

Dear Grant & Maddy....

This week, The Mom Congress has asked all of the delegates from 2011 and 2010 to write a letter to their children as part of their Mom Congress Back to School Blog-A-Thon.  My children started school before Labor Day like most of the school districts around here, so they are already back in the swing of things.

My daughter Maddy who is a third grader this year, attends Plain City Elementary here in a rural suburb northwest of Columbus, Ohio. This year, all of the PreK-4th graders are attending a brand new school.  It's filled with all the latest technology like smart boards, new computers, a brand new playground and best of all.....AIR CONDITIONING!  I've been involved in Plain City Elementary's PTO ever since my son attended kindergarten 7 years go.  I know that the teachers there are fantastic and go the extra mile for their students.  We have a fantastic PTO and the parents in our district are very involved in the school and community.

My son Grant, will be attending the newly renovated (and air conditioned!) Canaan Middle School this year as a 6th grader.  They too are lucky enough to receive new technology in the classroom.  Canaan's dedicated teaching staff have gotten the school recognized as an Ohio School to Watch several years in a row.

I guess the point I'm trying to make here, Grant and Maddy.... is that you are both extremely lucky.  You have every advantage in the world and there are many supportive people travelling with you on your journey to adulthood. We moved to this area knowing full well that this was a small school district which was (and still is) rated "excellent" by the Ohio Department of Education.  All children should have so lucky and the same opportunities and access to quality education in their public schools.  Unfortunately, that's not the case.

As a student in University of Florida's online Master of Art Education program, I've sort of made it my mission to be an art education advocate.  When I attended Parenting Magazine's Mom Congress as the Ohio Delegate last April, I was struck by the number of stories from other moms who had no art or music program in their schools.  I hear stories from my peers in my masters program about cuts in arts education their districts as well .  Unfortunately, these stories are becoming all too common as budgets are slashed and the arts are often deemed as "extras".  On the contrary, as a recent study titled Reinvesting in Arts Education: Winning America's Future by the President's Committee on the Arts & Humanities, they are essential to a well rounded curriculum along with STEM subjects.

In all the work I do as a volunteer, parent, art education advocate, I think it's important to think about the two of you, Grant & Maddy... and what kind of world I want for you and your generation.  I'm doing everything I can to ensure that you have quality education, and I've instilled in you the awareness that with the privilege of a quality education comes responsibility.  I'll continue to speak out about education inequities and the importance of quality public education which includes the arts in a well rounded curriculum for all children, because I know that making the world a better place is important to both of you too.

Talking ESEA/NCLB with Rep. Steve Stivers-OH 15

Today, I met with my Congressional Representative to present Parents Across America's ESEA/NCLB Position Paper.  I wasn't sure what to expect or how Representative Stivers would receive the information I presented.  He was in fact, gracious and receptive and we found some common ground regarding education.

First, I told him of my experience with Parenting Magazine's Mom Congress.  I also told him of my background as a volunteer and my after school art enrichment program for 4th graders as well as my studies in pursuing my masters of art education.

He agreed with me, that the curriculum had become much too narrow and that the emphasis on standardized testing was a problem.  He and I were also in agreement regarding arts education's potential to teach creativity and critical thinking and he felt that the arts were a necessary part of curriculum.

He also agreed that full day kindergarten and strong early education programs were very important, as many less advantaged children don't have the same learning opportunities at home as children in middle or upper class families.

He briefly scanned PAA ESEA/NCLB paper and said that he's not on the committee for this bill, but he would pass along the information to friends on the committee.  We didn't have the time to discuss every point in the position paper, but everything we touched on we seemed to agree on.  Unfortunately, we didn't get the chance to talk about charter schools or vouchers, and I am interested in hearing his thoughts about those matters in the future.

He also said that funding is a big problem right now as we are all well aware, but he feels that education should be a priority.  Mr. Stivers admitted that this bill was something that he was not fully educated on, but he planned to read our paper and wanted to keep in touch with me regarding these issues.

Our children's education is in the hands of lawmakers like Mr. Stivers.  It is critical that the  reauthorization of NCLB/ESEA be redirected towards more positive and common sense reform.  I hope that the PAA position paper and my words today had an impact and hopefully, he thinks of me and the other parents and teachers in Parens Across America when he's back in Washington speaking with his friends in congress about education reform.

NCLB: Not Good for the Arts

When I tell people that I'm getting my master of art education, I get a wide variety of responses.  Some people smile and say "That's wonderful!"  Others look at me sort of puzzled.  I know what they are thinking.  "Is she nuts?  There are no jobs!"  Believe me, I know.  There are no jobs in art education.  And the kicker is, I'm not currently employed so the decision to go back to school was a real leap of faith.  It's not like art teachers are in high demand.  They should be....but that's not the way it is, sadly. 

I read an article yesterday about a Nicole Emanuel, an artist like me, who lives in Kansas City and supports the arts in her children's school district.    She too is watching in dismay as the arts disappear from our schools.  Emanuel is correct in that the blame should be laid squarely on No Child Left Behind, which has resulted in a narrowing of the curriculum due to an increase and emphasis on standardized testing.  Arne Duncan admitted as much himself when he spoke at the Mom Congress last month.

With budget cuts looming in every school district across our state, districts are left with hard choices and all too often, the arts are the first things to go.  They are deemed unnecessary or as "extras".  This couldn't be further from the truth.  Study after study proves that the arts teach creativity and critical thinking, which is sorely lacking in today's teach to the test environment.  The arts should not be looked at as extras, they should be looked at as a way to teach the whole child.  Some children learn differently from others.  For some, the arts are an oasis in the school day where they can freely express themselves.  They learn that there are multiple answers to questions and that there are no wrong answers.  

I'm glad that many other parents see value in the arts and are organizing in opposition to cuts in the arts.  In Pasco County, Florida, the Suncoast Arts Advocacy group had parents coming out in droves to save the arts in their district.  There will still be cuts there, but not complete elimination.  

Until parents like the ones in Pasco County demand it, we will continue to see the elimination of the arts in our nations school districts.  The current emphasis on standardized testing will be the death knell to the arts in our nation, unless we as parents demand that they put a stop to it.  

Two Percent

Two Percent.  That's the number of eligible preschoolers Ohio served in the 2009/2010 school year, according to a recent Columbus Dispatch article highlighting the grim numbers.  Our state has cut more funds for early childhood education than any other state in the country.  The effects of these cuts will be felt for years to come, as children from poor and minority areas will not be prepared for kindergarten... already trying to play catch up right out of the gate.

While Secretary of State Arne Duncan tells states to invest in early childhood education, and states like Ohio are cash strapped and slashing budgets, no one knows where the funding will come from for our most vulnerable population.  Unfortunately, studies show that a lack of early childhood education can not be made up later.  Kindergarten teachers can predict with a 90% accuracy rate, whether or not a child will graduate high school.  At the Mom Congress earlier this month, Mark Shriver showed a video from his Save the Children Foundation on the importance of early childhood education.  Pay now or pay later:

I agree with Duncan in that it's up to us, as parents and citizens of this state to demand more.  Hopefully articles like this well get more people's attention and they'll be outraged just as I was.  If lawmakers really feel that everyone... including 3 and 4 year old children have to tighten their belt-straps and tough out this economic downturn, they do this at their own peril.  If they want this state to move forward, rebuild and attract businesses, the only way to do that, is to start at the beginning and invest in education.  Otherwise, we'll be paying for it later.

Parenting Magazine's Mom Congress

I just got home this week from an exciting, invigorating, conference in Washington, DC with 50 other amazing moms from around the country.  Parenting Magazine chose me to represent Ohio, which is a huge honor and big responsibility!  Each of the 51 mothers from every state including the District of Columbia, is a passionate education advocate.  Each one of us cares deeply about the future of this country and we all believe that each child should have access to quality education, regardless of their zipcode.

Each of the delegates had something that brought them to DC... whether it's early literacy, school food, the achievement gap, arts education, or a combination of one or more of those issues.  I too, am interested in many of these issues and I plan to bring awareness to parents on how they can enable change and advocate for children in Ohio and beyond.

Because I'm an artist, mother of two school aged children, and currently pursuing my master of art education, arts education is especially important to me.  Mainly, I hope this blog becomes a resource for parents, educators, and students on the issues that affect aspects of public education on the local, state and national level, but especially in the Buckeye State.