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Dorchester District 2 to pilot United Sound music programs for students with special needs
Summary
The district will pilot United Sound programs at Fort Dorchester High School (high school model) and at middle schools (Play With Us) to provide music instruction and instrument packs for self-contained classes, the director of fine arts told trustees.
Dorchester District 2 will introduce two United Sound programs this school year to increase access to music for students served by special services, the district's director of fine arts told trustees at the July 22 meeting.
Jay Smalls, director of fine arts (DD2), told the board the national United Sound program — based in Arizona — pairs general-education music students with special-services students so those students can participate in band and other musical ensembles. At the high school level, Smalls said groups of three general-education students will sponsor a special-services student and teach adapted parts so students can participate at an ability-appropriate level; Fort Dorchester High School's band will implement the high-school model. The middle-school program, called Play With Us, provides instrument packs for self-contained classes and weekly instruction via certified teachers who specialize in both special education and music.
Smalls said the district believes it will be the first school district in South Carolina to run both United Sound models and expressed hope the program will expand across the district and state. Trustees thanked him and asked for follow-up as the pilot begins.
