In a recent webinar for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Joel Packer, executive director of the Committee for Education Funding, provided an overview of the 2012 election results. He also discusses what they mean for education, particularly for non-STEM subjects including music and the arts. NAfME’s priorities for the 113th United States Congress, with a term of January 3, 2013, to January 5, 2015, are
- Teacher evaluations,
- Maintaining the arts as a core subject,
- Engendering support for music education with new and returning members of Congress,
- Increasing access to high-quality music education programs in disadvantaged communities,
- Ensuring the presence of certified music educators in the classroom and adequate instruction time.
Visit the webinar page, which also includes links to resources on education funding like the National Education Association and the American Association of School Administrators.
Share Your Story
NAfME knows music educators, students and other music supporters have great examples of the ways music education has benefitted their lives. Recently the Association began collecting such stories on its website. The online stories will be compiled, and NAfME will share them with elected officials and others around the United States to demonstrate broad support for music education programs. Here are two recent examples that have been posted.
- Despite budget cuts, a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, band director raises money to support the music program that has been recognized for its excellence
- Music technology courses at a Canton, Ohio, high school draws non-traditional music students to study music in new ways.
What role has music education played in your life? Let the world know. Email or visit the Share Your Story web page.
Grassroots Efforts
The Committee for Education Funding (CEF) declared the week of December 10, 2012, “Grassroots Week”. This week, the coalition encourages citizens “who are concerned about looming cuts in education funding to contact their federal lawmakers to voice their opposition to education funding cuts.” Visit the CEF blog post for ways to contact federal lawmakers. CEF provides tools that make it simple to send a quick email, phone or even Tweet a message. CEF was founded in 1969 with the goal of achieving adequate federal financial support for our nation’s educational system. The coalition is made up of voluntary, nonprofit and nonpartisan groups, including NAfME. Members include educational associations, institutions, agencies, and organizations whose interests range from preschool to postgraduate education in both public and private systems. Roz Fehr, NAfME managing editor for news, December 13, 2012. © National Association for Music Education (NAfME.org)
