Students Who Can't Afford Exams, .....what should I do ? Options

[dolce@piano]

I live in a very rural area. Some kids have parents who can afford dance, tennis, whatever, but most don't.

The advantage is that I have hardly any pupils who are playing because their mother thinks it's the 'done' thing, keeping up with the Jones-es.

I also try very hard to keep prices down - not charging for cancelled lessons (there are very few), lending out a vast number of books, subsidising sibling lessons etc.etc.

But I have to turn quite a few kids away who say it's too expensive. Maybe that's life and it all about choices.

However, I am a strong believer in exams (as a tool to help progress) and they're a big success with kids and parents alike. But the parents of my most talented pupil are not in a position to afford exams on top of everything and have said clearly that it's not possible.

Maybe it doesn't matter as she's a very motivated child but half of me is tempted to give her a few 'free' lessons to pay for the exam. This, of course, isn't fair to the others (should I keep it a secret?). I'm torn . . . .

[sbhoa]

If you and they feel that exams are important would it be possible to plan ahead and allow them to pay for exams by giving you a small amount each week? You'd need to time this so that you'd have all the money in by the entry date.

[Babybird2]

I'm not a teacher and this is probably a really stupid idea ( (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) ) but couldn't you make up your own little exam for these pupils? It's still something to work towards and you can print out certificates on the computer. Just a thought (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

[Panthera]

I'm not a teacher either, but depending on where your student is, does she *really* need to take this next exam? (e.g. for UCAS points, or grade 5 or 8 which some teachers deem "necessary") Can she not wait, say, a year or two; maybe her parents can afford it then? If you strongly believe exams are necessary, however, nobody needs to know about the free lessons (or whichever way you plan to subsidise her exam), I guess. Personally, though, I think the best way to progress is to play lots of repertoire that the student enjoys and that also provides the relevant techniques/challenges. (But that may be just me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) I never liked exams as a child and neither my parents nor teachers strongly believe in them; I've only done 3 graded exams (4, 5 and 8) and I don't think I'd have turned out a better pianist had I done otherwise). Also, mock exams (like Babybird suggested) or student concerts, say, can also provide the goals/motivation/progress needed. Just a(nother) thought...

[Czerny]

Music services often have designated funding for less well-off families, and schools often have music scholarships for students who show potential. Could you instigate some sort of award or bursary for 'Pupil who has made the most progress' or 'Most promising pupil' or some such?

[notmusimum]

There is a charitable trust in our area that will give bursaries towards young people's development. Could the parents apply for something like this to cover the cost of some lessons and an exam? Thery could sill pay you a small ammount each week to cover the cost of the next exam suring the period that the lessons are being paid for.

[skylark]

Another non-teacher here!

If this is something you really want to do, then rather than keeping it secret, what about offering a free exam as an incentive - the winner could be the most diligent student or the one who has progressed most etc.

Or setting aside something like a "bursary" for the purpose of taking exams - parents could apply for it and it would be given to whichever student you think most deserves it.

[SueHM]

Surely the cost of a music exam is not really beyond their means? A small installment every week - even if it is 50p a time would quickly build up. How much will they spend on Xmas this year? Tempting though it may be to help them out, this is coming out of your pocket. Music teachers hardly make a fortune and you are already cutting them quite a lot of slack. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but you will end up giving free lessons and making no money at all otherwise...

[Digby]

I've had to compromise this year, daughter number 2 hasn't done any exams for financial reasons, but no 1 has done G5 cello and piano, next year daughter no 2 will do her next grades on violin and piano while no 1 does g5 theory and we are not doing either of the grade 6's. Yes I know it doesn't all come at once but it's alot of money if they both do all exams that is 4 mid range exams per year which would be in the region of £200, with the best will in the world I am unlikely to put weekly money aside for exams and as a teacher it is not something I would want to have to take account of.

However in your pupil's case I would be reluctant do offer free lessons to pay for the exams as it set's a precident that you may not be in a position to do in future years with more expensive exams. It is worth looking at local festivals as a motivating performance opportunity, they are usually around £3.50 per class which is alot more affordable.

Babybird's idea of doing your own exams is also a good one, and I know of at least one teacher in my area that does it, you could take it one step further and do a swapsies with another teacher who may have a similar situation so you examine their pupil and vice versa.

[tomfrankenburg]

Teaching electric guitar, up until now, there hasn't really been a grading system, and the one there is, is really tough and just, well, boring. I like to go through grades on the classical guitar but only if the student wants to. I have just taught some people without ever doing grades, after all, it's just a piece of paper saying you can play at a certain standard. If you're a good enough teacher you can do your own exams and grade it how the examiners would grade it.

With electric guitar, I just don't even bother with grades. It's not worth the time, effort and money on both parts. It takes away the fun of learning and the freedom. Teaching every student the same way doesn't work.

My advice is just don't do grades with people who can't afford them but by no means, don't tell them they can't learn with you, just think how snobby that makes you look (I'm not saying you are). Who knows, it might lead to a bit of "bad" word of mouth.

[Ayshah]

I have been in this position on a few occasions and simply negotiate with the music teacher. We skip a grade. The Music teacher gives her an 'exam' with as near similiar conditions as she can manage. She gives her a comment sheet but no certificate. If 'passed', she moves on to the books/music for the next level.

What got to me was the increase price of the accompaniest required at the higher grades. I accept the practise and expertise required but it did add up. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[dolce@piano]

Thank you all so much for your feedback - I really do appreciate it and it got me thinking (which, after all, is what it's all about).

What I should have mentioned is that I live in France and so some of the local authority grants etc. are not available (the family already get a small discount from the father's employer under a government scheme).

Also, the cost of exams is a lot higher - practically 60 euros for Grade 1 (not including book).

I don't really want to announce an official bursary - it's a delicate area, as several people said, and very subjective, and I do feel that the family would be very embarrassed by it. A 'behind-the-scenes approach would work but while their case is quite clear-cut there will be others that are far more debatable.

I do organise two concerts a year, one at Christmas at my house (my piano kids only + parents) and a bigger one in June at the village hall, free entry, with not only my students but open to all the children from the village who play an instrument (not a lot, there are only 400 inhabitants, but somehow there are 3 double bass players (!) and a violinist which I accompany).

Maybe this is enough ? The child is very good, very motivated and has never done an exam so maybe it's me that has to get my head round it. (I find exams to be an excelllent tool but maybe it can work just as well without and I've never really tried). Skipping exams is also a good idea.

Lastly, I have to have an operation next year and will miss 2 or 3 weeks of lessons so I have just told them that they could think of that 'saving' as a down-payment towards the exam cost.

The next session here is in June so I have a while to mull it over. Again, a huge thanks for all the replies.

[pianodub]

Babybird's idea of doing your own exams is also a good one, and I know of at least one teacher in my area that does it, you could take it one step further and do a swapsies with another teacher who may have a similar situation so you examine their pupil and vice versa.

I think this is a good idea too! And maybe as suggested you could do a swap with another local teacher (there must be one if you have all of these double bass players floating about! How unusual!) I will be examining a student for a friend of mine soon; her student wasn't ready for the exam on time and so is having this 'informal' exam instead. There will be a proper marking sheet etc for it and it will serve the same purpose as the official exam without the expense. Maybe you could make a day of it for a few students?

[1stviolin]

My son's first teacher arranged for her husband to be the "examiner" for a pretend "prep test" for my son at her home (he was only 6 or so if I recall...) . It was years before he twigged! Btw he passed his Diploma this year, but that was the real thing and VERY expensive!!!

[peri busy]

Would you have a family who would be willing to lesson-share? Not totally ideal, but could you and pupil cope with one lesson per fortnight on a temporary basis, alternating with another family? Or - if you could match up a pupil of similar standard, they could literally come as a pair, paying half the fee each for the lesson, and putting aside the other half towards an exam entry fee. This would need a little planning, but works just as though pupils shared a lesson at school - and they get through exams just as easily.