A Preliminary Comparative Analysis of Music Education Curriculums in Rural and Suburban Mississippi
The focus of this study is to observe the music education curriculum in rural and non-rural public high schools in Mississippi. This research is a synthesis of the research already available. Toni Haas (1990) notes that in regarding rural education in the United States there is a long and continuing debate in this country over the quality of rural schools. "Educational reform has presented more difficult and unique opportunities for rural students according to Joyce D. Stern (1994)," and the structure of the rural schools allows for a more conducive atmosphere for students to learn. A portion of the problems in the school system is that the government has restraints on education and what needs to be taught according to W. J. Kritek. He cites the characteristics of urban schools as being low academic achievement, discipline problems, and underpaid teachers. An important variable of the rural and non-rural study is the funding of the education system. William P. McLure (1948) discusses financial assistance during the pre-depression and pre-World War II period, then moves on to the "handicaps" in the financial support of Mississippi public schools. There is little current information on the music curriculum in the state of Mississippi; therefore, the research presented will hopefully encourage other research in the music education area in Mississippi.
School:
Alcorn State University
Department:
Fine Arts
Research Advisor:
Ollie Watts Davis
Department of Research Advisor:
Music
Year of Publication:
2006