Subject: Visual & Performing Arts
Grade Level(s): 9 – 12
Measures Growth: No
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The Advanced Placement Music Theory Examination is designed for students who have completed the AP coursework in Music Theory throughout the year. The test includes multiple-choice questions both with and without aural stimulus, written free response questions with and without aural stimulus, and sight-singing.
Pros: Aligned to the standards I teach • Assesses higher-order thinking • Takes students a reasonable amount of time to complete
Cons: Misses growth of some students, such as those far below and/or far above grade level
Pros: Easy to administer • Data is presented clearly • Data I receive helps me understand where I am teaching well and where I need to improve
Cons: Results are not returned quickly • Doesn't help me track my students' learning gains over time
The exam is useful for future years, but presents issues for review with the students completing it, due to the arrival of scores over the summer months, when course work is completed. Since there is no clear curriculum, this is determined by each teacher, and creates a wide level of disparity between different school programs.
Submitted by Michael in New York on April 12, 2013
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