What is with parents these days?

[Alex]

I can't answer for him, of course, but while I would consider P.E. more of a fluff class than music, but I would consider music class second tier in importance. I certainly never learned anything from elementary school music classes beyond the words to "The Battle of 1812" and "This Land Is Your Land"* (and I never took any in high school so I don't know if their value increases).

When I was in elementary school, music class was one hour a week, as was P.E., so I don't really feel that was a waste of time. Don't know if that is different in other places or has changed over time.

But I do know that my younger sister managed to get to sixth grade without being able to multiply beyond the most basic single digit numbers or read a non-digital clock (and this was after two years of being in a "gifted" program) so I don't think schools failing kids is anything new.




*I'm sure we sang other songs and did other musically things but for some reason those are the only things that have stuck in my mind from elementary school music classes.