A Study of the In-Service Needs in Music of the Elementary Classroom Teachers of Broward Counry, Florida

It was the purpose of this study to examine data
gathered from the elementary classroom teachers of the Broward
County school system in the state of Florida. An attempt
was made to decide the extent to which music was included in
the curriculum, the strengths and weaknesses of instruction
of these offerings, and the advisability of planning inservice
training programs in music for the classroom teachers
to strengthen the total presentation.
The method of research employed was a review of the
literature and the formulation of three types of questionnaires
that were sent to the elementary classroom teachers,
principals, and music specialists. The classroom teacher
data were coded, transferred to cards, and tabulated electronically. The principal and music specialist data were
tabulated by the researcher with the aid of an assistant.
The data were presented with reference to background,
scheduling, and areas of strengths and weaknesses in musical
instruction, through a series of tables and figures, an
analysis of each, an interpretation of the results, and
recommendations for improving instruction.
It was determined that musical opportunities afforded
the students of the Broward County school system varied to
such a degree that in-service training programs in music need to be planned in the areas of instructing instrumental,
creative, and singing activities, as these received the
lowest cumulative percentages from the tabulation of the
classroom teachers' self-analysis. The strengths of the
classroom teachers' musical instruction lay in the utilization
of listening activities.