Staffing
Special education classes in music are no larger than other special education classes. Teacher aides are provided for special education classes in music if they are provided for other special education classes. If a student with a disability has an aide to assist in other classes, the aide also assists the student in music classes.
In order that special education students may receive adequate instruction, every music educator working with these students has received training in special education and, for purposes of consultation, has convenient access to trained professionals in special education or music therapy.
Materials & Equipment
Adaptive devices (e.g., adaptive picks, beaters, bells) are available for use by children with disabilities.
Curriculum & Scheduling
When students with disabilities are included in regular music classes:
a. their placement is determined on the same basis as placement for students without disabilities (e.g., musical achievement, chronological age)
b. music educators are involved in placement decisions and are fully informed about the needs of each student,
c. their placement does not result in classes that exceed the average class size for the school by more than 10%,
d. the number of these students does not exceed the average for other classes in the school be more than 10%.
Music instruction is provided for student receiving special education who are not included in regular music classes. Music instruction for students with disabilities is designed to teach practical music skills and knowledge that will assist the students in functioning successfully in the music environments of the home, school, and community. The amount of time for music instruction is equivalent to that provided to students without disabilities.
Students with disabilities are given the same opportunities to elect choral and instrumental instruction as other students. If a music task cannot be performed by students with disabilities exactly as it would be by other students, adaptation is provided so that students with disabilities can participate insofar as possible.
Special experiences are designed for gifted and talented students according to their abilities and interests.
Opportunity-to-Learn Standards for Music Education, MENC (NAfME) 1994