A Survey of Multiple Assessment Tools Used in Music Instruction of Arts and Humanities in Taipei County Junior High Schools

[[abstract]]The purpose of this study was to investigate the assessment tools used in music instruction by the teachers of Arts and Humanities in Taipei County junior high schools, the degree of acceptance of the teachers in the implementation of multiple assessment, and the frustration faced with implementation. A survey was conducted during on May, 2006. The questionnaire was sent to 250 music teachers from 75 junior high schools of the entire county, with the return rate was 58％(140/250). The statistical treatments included frequency, percentage, average, and open-ended question were used to analyze data. The major findings of this study included: 1. The teachers recognized and understood the definition of the assessment tools included in Grade 1-9 Curriculum Guidelines. Performance assessment is the major approach of assessment however the processes and the implementation were not correct. Other assessment tools recommended by the teachers were portfolio for the teaching of appreciation, paper and pencil test for the teaching of music fundamentals, and oral report. Most of the assessments were conducted mainly by the teachers, but the use of peer assessment was increasing. Assessment tools of rating scales, events records and self report was not used frequently. Most effective assessment tools recommended by the teachers were performance assessment, portfolio and peer assessment. 2. The teachers were positive to the implementation of multiple assessment , it would motivate students’ learning, and help music instruction become more appropriate and closed to daily life. 3. The teachers were most frustrated with the “lack of teaching facilities for the teaching”, “larged classes”, and the “short of teaching hours”, and hope to receive assistances in “building web site for the models of the multiple assessment”, “getting the support from the parents”, and “support from the school of administrators”.