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A Foundation for the Future: Reimagining Music Standards for Today’s Learners Chris Gleason, Arts & Creativity Consultant, DPI
For nearly all of hu- man history, change occurred gradually. However, the pace of change is accel- erating at an un- precedented rate. It took humanity until around 1800 to reach 1 billion
people, but the global population surpassed 8 billion in 2022. The number of internet users has grown from virtually zero in 1990 to more than 5.5 billion today, and computing power has increased millions of times over in just a few decades. New technologies such as artificial intelligence are transforming industries in years rather than generations. At the same time, re- search in neuroscience, psychology and education has dramatically expanded our understanding of how people learn, create and collaborate.
Throughout history, music has remained a constant – a uniquely human way of expressing emotion, building community, preserving culture and learning about the world around us. While the purpose of mu- sic education has not changed, the world in which our students are growing up certainly has. Preparing students for their future requires us to honor the timeless values of music education while continually refin- ing the ways we teach, assess and create opportunities for learning. As the quote commonly attributed to Albert Einstein reminds us, “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” Whether or not Ein- stein spoke those exact words, the message is timeless: growth requires a willingness to learn, adapt and improve.
That spirit of continuous improvement has guided the revision of Wisconsin’s Music Standards. Rather than changing what makes music education meaningful, this work seeks to clarify our shared vi- sion, strengthen instructional practice, and
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provide educators with a more flexible and accessible framework that supports every learner. Standards are living documents – they should evolve as our knowledge grows, our classrooms change and new opportunities emerge. Most importantly, they should empower teachers to do what they do best: inspire students to discover the joy, beauty and lifelong value of music.
New Music Standards
At the time of publication of this article, the 2026 Wisconsin Music Standards are enter- ing the final revision process before formal review and approval. The revision began in September 2025 with a statewide survey inviting Wisconsin educators and citizens to reflect on the strengths and opportunities within the 2017 standards. The feedback made one thing clear: Wisconsin’s music educators value high expectations while also recognizing the need for standards that are clearer, more adaptable and better aligned with today’s classrooms.
Following approval of the revision process, a diverse team of 22 music educators from across Wisconsin came together to rei- magine the standards. Their work included studying the history of standards-based education, analyzing music standards from nine other states, reviewing current re- search and engaging in thoughtful dialogue about what students need to thrive both musically and beyond. Their efforts were strengthened by additional feedback from educators, higher education faculty, busi- ness leaders and other stakeholders from across Wisconsin and the nation. Pending final approval by State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly, the new standards will also include a comprehensive glossary, clearly defined action verbs and identified Depth of Knowledge (DOK) levels to promote con- sistent understanding and implementation.
Unpacking Documents
Adopting new standards is only the begin- ning. To support educators in bringing them
“While the purpose of music education has not changed, the world in which our students are growing up certainly has.”
to life, a companion series of “Unpacking” documents is planned following adoption. These resources will help teachers under- stand not only what each standard says, but why it matters and how it can be translated into meaningful learning experiences. Each document will include definitions of key terms, instructional context, alignment information, enduring understandings, essential knowledge and skills, examples of demonstrating mastery and practical classroom guidance. Once approved, you will be able to find all of these resources on the Arts and Creativity page of the DPI website.
Ultimately, the success of these standards will not be measured by the words on the page, but by the experiences cre- ated in classrooms, rehearsal spaces, and performance settings across Wisconsin. Standards provide a common vision, but it is educators who bring that vision to life through their creativity, expertise and commitment to students. As we move forward, these new standards provide an opportunity to celebrate what music educa- tion has always been while expanding what it can become.
Chris Gleason is arts and creativity consultant at Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and 2017 Wisconsin Teacher of the Year.
Email:
christopher.gleason@
dpi.wi.gov September 2026
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