The Identification of Criteria for the Evaluation of Junior High School Guitar Programs

Abstract

The problem of this study was to identify, formulate, and validate a set of criteria for the evaluation of junior high guitar programs in the following areas: 1) the rationale for a guitar program; 2) instructional objectives; 3) learning activities and teaching strategies; 4) the evaluation of students; 5) instructional materials, equipment and facilities; 6) class size; 7) time allotment and scheduling; 8) the qualifications of teachers. A proposed set of criteria was identified from a previous study done by the author in which interviews with eleven experts on guitar programs in Manitoba were analyzed for significant statements related to what ought to constitute junior high guitar program in Manitoba. From this proposed set of criteria a questionnaire was created and administered to forty teachers of junior high guitar classes in Manitoba. Teachers were asked to rate the importance of each criterion to a quality guitar program. Responses were received from 32 teachers for a response rate of 80%. The responses were analyzed by assigning a numerical value of 1 to the statements rated "very important," and 4 to the statements rated "of no importance." From this analysis a rating index figure was assigned to each criterion with 2.5 - 1.0 being considered a positive value. Ninety-seven statements were included in the final list of criteria considered valid for the evaluation of guitar programs in Manitoba. The implications of this study include an application of the set of criteria to an actual evaluation of junior high guitar programs. This could bring greater uniformity or standardization to guitar programs in Manitoba. This study also gathered data relating to the status of guitar programs in Manitoba including the number of students in guitar programs, time allotted to programs, the age of programs, and the experience and qualifications of teachers.