Contact the NAfME public policy staff regarding NAfME coalition participation.

NAfME-Led Coalitions

Arts Education Alliance

The Arts Education Alliance is a partnership between the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), the National Art Education Association (NAEA), the National Association for Media Arts Education (NAMAE), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO). Officially announced in May 2024, the Arts Education Alliance brings these organizations together to amplify the value of arts education through joint advocacy work.

The Music Education Policy Roundtable

Originally conceived of and formalized by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and American String Teachers Association (ASTA), the Music Education Policy Roundtable is music education’s premier policy coalition, representing the unification of many great music education organizations under a single banner. Together, the Roundtable works in efforts to achieve a consensus set of federal legislative recommendations, on behalf of the profession and all of those who stand to benefit from its contributions to education.

Legislative materials, formal statements, key resources, and membership

Coalitions NAfME Participates In

Arts Education Partnership

The Arts Education Partnership (AEP) is a national network of more than 200 organizations dedicated to advancing arts education. AEP has been supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Department of Education since 1995 and is administered by Education Commission of the States.

AEP is the nation’s hub for arts and education leaders, building their leadership capacity to support students, educators and learning environments. Through research, reports, convenings and counsel, leaders gain knowledge and insights to ensure that all learners receive an excellent arts education.

Coalition for Teaching Quality (CTQ)

For 20 years, CTQ has led efforts to improve public education, drawing from the expertise and insights of experienced educators. The coalition has worked with thousands of teachers, administrators, and system leaders nationwide, listening to and learning from their experiences, then collaborating with them to create solutions to make public schools better.

Committee for Education Funding (CEF)

The Committee for Education Funding (CEF) is a coalition that was founded in 1969 with the goal of achieving adequate federal financial support for our nation’s educational system. The coalition is voluntary, nonprofit and nonpartisan. CEF members include educational associations, institutions, agencies, and organizations whose interests range from preschool to postgraduate education in both public and private systems. The National Association for Music Education has been a member of CEF since 2010 and continues to maintain an active role as the ONLY organization that represents the music and arts community within the coalition.

Music IS Education Coalition

Music IS Education brings together state and national music education organizations to support effective advocacy at the state and local levels. Sharing trusted resources and new technologies in support of advocacy, Music IS Education showcases best practices; stories of success; links to arts education data, policies, and research; and opportunities to connect with fellow advocates across the country.

National Coalition for Arts Standards (NCCAS)

The National Coalition for Arts Standards (NCCAS) is an alliance of national arts and arts education organizations dedicated to supporting and promoting sequential, standards-based arts education as part of a well-rounded curriculum that ensures artistic literacy for all students. The coalition formed in 2011 for the purpose of creating and supporting national arts standards.

National Coalition for Technology in Education & Training (NCTET)

The National Coalition for Technology in Education and Training (NCTET) is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization of education stakeholders that promotes universal access to innovative teaching and learning by acting as a convener and catalyst for the effective use of technology in education. NCTET envisions a world where educators empowered by technology prepare all learners for success in the workforce, citizenship and life.

National Music Council of the United States

The National Music Council of the United States is composed of American music organizations representing every form of educational, creative and commercial musical activity. Founded in 1940, the National Music Council was chartered by the 84th Congress in 1956 and has been the official United States representative to the International Music Council for over seventy years.

The National Music Council is dedicated to creating a welcoming and broadly representative American music community. It strives to ensure equal opportunities, and to celebrate and respect the unique contributions of all. It further aims to inspire fairness throughout the music industry by encouraging member organizations to reflect the broad spectrum of humanity and ideas in all initiatives.

National Music Education Disaster Relief Coalition

The National Music Education Disaster Relief Coalition brings together esteemed organizations united to support schools affected by natural disasters, including the recent fires in Los Angeles County and hurricanes Helene and Milton. Established by the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation in support of its Music Rising disaster relief fund and efforts, the coalition aims to rebuild music programs, providing instruments and essential resources to ensure that affected students continue to experience the transformative power of music education. In the aftermath of disaster, the National Music Education Disaster Relief Coalition aims to foster healing, resilience, and community connection.

Partnership for Student Success

The Partnership for Student Success is a dynamic coalition united by a shared mission: to ensure every student has access to the evidence-based supports they need to thrive.

The coalition is committed to evidence-based solutions that support all students’ growth—with a particular focus on high-impact tutoring, mentoring, student success coaching, postsecondary transition coaching, and wraparound/integrated student supports. It also offers solutions networks that bring together diverse stakeholders to share bright spots, best practices, and strategies for overcoming the challenges students face. Through ongoing working groups, the Partnership for Student Success provides regular support for each other, tackling critical issues that impact students and amplifying the collective voice of those who are making a difference.

SupportMusic Coalition

NAMM's SupportMusic Coalition brings critical information to its members to build powerful advocacy networks at the federal, state and local levels. Through strategic collaboration, resource sharing, and grassroots mobilization, the SupportMusic Coalition unites diverse voices to ensure music education programs and the music industry thrive in communities across America. Whether defending against budget cuts, advancing policy initiatives, or building lasting partnerships, the SupportMusic Coalition provides the tools, intelligence, and collective strength needed to make a real impact where it matters most. Coalition members include industry leaders, educational institutions, arts organizations, and nonprofit organizations who actively participate and engage with the coalition.

TeachMusic Coalition

In response to the nationwide teacher shortage, the TeachMusic Coalition was formed to help find resources and solutions for the immediate, short term, and longer-term challenges facing the music educator workforce, working to retain, shepherd, diversify, and recruit the next generation of music educators.

Title IV-A Coalition

Within the “Every Student Succeeds Act” (ESSA), the landmark law includes a new block grant titled Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) grants, which was created under Title IV, Part A. This grant will provide supplemental funding to help states and school districts, and provide access to “Well-Rounded” education subjects, which now includes music and the arts.

The Title IV, Part A Coalition is an alliance of like-minded prestigious education groups that are working to urge Congress to increase funding for this program. Formed in 2016, NAfME joined the Coalition as a founding member; the Association has since participated in key meetings with members of Congress and helped organize key press events on behalf of the Coalition.

For inquiries regarding NAfME coalition participation, please contact the NAfME public policy staff.