RESTON, VA (October 10, 2014)—Twenty-eight member organizations, under the umbrella of the Music Education Policy Roundtable, have come together to call on politicians to confirm their support for quality classroom music education for all U.S. students. Founded in 2012 by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and the American String Teachers Association, the Roundtable has grown from a handful of music education groups to 28 non-profit organizations plus two corporate supporters (J.W. Pepper and Sons, Inc., and Music Sales Group) today.
Approximately 500,000 individual members are represented by the collective member organizations of the Roundtable, calling on Congress to “maintain the status of the arts as a core academic subject in any reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).”
The Roundtable specifies seven areas in which music education can be fully supported in a way that is applicable specifically to music educators:
“Our nation’s progress depends on the success of our students,” reads the letter to U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee members, and U.S. House Workforce and Education Committee members, “and we know music education is a critical component of a complete education, preparing students for the 21st century workforce.”
“As candidates are running for election or re-election this fall, we want to hear that full support for classroom music is a part of their education platforms,” said Christopher Woodside, NAfME Assistant Executive Director. “The new 114th Congress has a critical opportunity in this era of high-stakes testing to ensure a complete education for all of our nation’s students that answers their needs beyond the bubble tests. We urge them to include music education in their reauthorization of the ESEA.”
The Music Education Policy Roundtable letter to candidates can be read in its entirety, with the seven legislative priorities specified in detail, on the Roundtable website.
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National Association for Music Education, among the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association orchestrates success for millions of students nationwide and has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century. With more than 130,000 members, the organization is the voice of music education in the United States.
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For additional information, contact Catherina Hurlburt at catherinah@nafme.org or 703-860-4000, ext. 242.
Catherina Hurlburt, Special Assistant, October 10, 2014. © National Association for Music Education (NAfME.org)
