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A survey was distributed to the members of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC)'s Society for Music Teacher Education that presented members with seven questions about the types and nature of their school-university partnerships. The majority of respondents (N = 251) reported that they engaged in multiple partnerships that included not only universities and schools, but also music education associations, community and private arts organizations, individuals, and businesses. The benefits of these partnerships to preservice music teachers were (a) improved learning experiences, (b) the opportunity to gain real-world teaching experience and apply theory to practice, and (c) interaction with musicians and ensembles. The primary benefits to the university and school-based teachers were (a) professional development opportunities, and (b) opportunities for collegiality. Challenges to partnerships were (a) the difficulty of scheduling, (b) a lack of time, and (c) communication. Results revealed that respondents perceive partnerships as being between individuals, that one person usually takes the lead to develop the partnership, and that the benefits of the partnerships outweigh the challenges. Suggestions for policymakers are provided to address the challenges of partnership work. (Contains 7 tables.)

Seeks to determine whether children's singing games are valid and reliable for use in authentic assessment of vocal pitch accuracy; reveals this to be true. Concludes that these games can be used in authentic classroom vocal pitch assessments and should be used as part of a larger, multiply-contexted assessment scheme. (DSK)

Provides a historical overview of the development of music programs in U.S. community colleges, drawing a parallel between their growth and expansion, and the evolution of two-year colleges since the early 1900s. Includes 40 citations. (JDI)

At the November 1999 Annual Conference of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA) in Phoenix, Arizona, AOSA president Linda Ahlstedt assembled a panel of music education leaders of the professional music [...]

We used three diagnostic protein markers to examine salamanders of the Eurycea bislineata complex at 80 localities in Virginia and West Virginia. Two groups were strongly differentiated and met at a narrow contact zone. Rare hybridization was observed as well as limited introgression up to 5 km north and 10 km south of the contact zone. At the contact zone, 1% F1, 2% F2, 32% backcross, and 66% parental genotypes were observed. This pattern of parapatric distribution with limited hybridization and introgression argues for the recognition of Eurycea bislineata and E. cirrigera as separate species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Peaks of Otter salamander, Plethodon hubrichti, is a montane species found at elevations above 442 m within a 117 km² area of the Blue Ridge Mountains in central Virginia, USA. In areas of this species' range where the Eastern Red-backed salamander Plethodon cinereus, a potential competitor, is absent, surface-active salamander density was hypothesised to decrease at lower elevations due to increased temperatures and lower humidities, which may adversely affect salamander reproductive output and survival rates. Eggs/female, % gravid females, surface-active salamander density, temperature and relative humidity were recorded from nine sites ranging in elevation from 488 to 1143 m. Survival rates and growth rates were estimated at three of these sites. Surface-active salamander densities, survival rates, growth rates, eggs/female and reproductive output decreased with elevation. Decreases were correlated with increases in temperature and a decrease in relative humidity associated with decline in elevation. Other habitat factors such as % canopy closure did not decrease with elevation at the study sites. Peaks of Otter salamanders had greater dehydration rates and lower critical thermal maxima than the wider-ranging Eastern red-backed salamanders, which reflects their adaptation to montane environments. These results support the importance of conserving mature hardwood forests, particularly at lower elevations, which represent marginal environments for montane species of salamanders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine perspectives of experienced university faculty and cooperating teachers in general music education. The co-authors' four guiding research questions were: (a) What are the ideal components of preservice general music teacher preparation; (b) What do cooperating teachers and university supervisors expect of preservice music teachers; (c) How may preservice general music teacher preparation be improved; and (d) What are the possible roadblocks and solutions for improving preservice music teacher preparation? For this case study, 11 university faculty and 19 cooperating teachers completed a researcher-designed, open-ended survey (N = 30). Using a downward coding process to identify diversity within the data, followed by upward coding to determine synthesis within the data, three themes emerged: enabling conditions, inhibiting conditions, and curriculum reorganization. Research questions (a) and (b) matched with enabling conditions, when present, and inhibiting conditions, when absent. Curricular reorganization responses matched with question (c), while inhibiting conditions and elements of curricular reorganization matched with question (d). The co-authors discuss implications of their findings for music teacher education and make recommendations for further research to extend this exploratory study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Looks at ways in which progress can be reported in elementary school, music teaching, and proposes ideas on how children can be assessed. Different facets which must be taught; Authentic assessments of a child's progress; Advantages and challenges of different types of assessment.