Music Teachers in U.S. Charter Schools: A Multistate Profile

Abstract

This descriptive survey study aimed to investigate the professional experiences of music educators teaching at charter schools in the United States. In the spring of 2020, a total of 113 charter school music teachers across six states responded to an online questionnaire soliciting information regarding their licensure status, background and training, details of their teaching assignment, and reasons for accepting a teaching position in the charter school setting. At the time of data collection, approximately two thirds of participants held an active music teaching license. Others either held licensure in other content areas or held no active teaching license at all. Among study participants, approximately one third left positions at traditional public schools to teach music in the charter school system, citing the appeal of curricular autonomy and job flexibility. The discussion includes considerations for music teacher preparation programs.