NAfME & Roundtable Endorse American Arts Revival Act

The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is pleased to announce our endorsement of Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez’s (D-NY-7) American Arts Revival Act (AARA).  Historically, music educators have not been able to take advantage of loan forgiveness programs, and if passed, this piece of legislation would amend the Higher Education Act (HEA) to qualify music and arts educators for up to $10,000 of student loan forgiveness.  Music and arts educators would be eligible for this program if they are employed full-time as a certified or licensed educator by a school district for 5 years or more, and if they have received a baccalaureate or advanced degree in a field relevant to such employment.

NAfME Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mike Blakeslee, issued the following statement regarding the Association’s endorsement of the AARA:

“Since the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which acknowledged music as an essential component of a “Well-Rounded Education,” NAfME has continued its advocacy efforts to find additional ways to expand the presence of music and arts education in federal education policy.  As an Association that represents 13,000 collegiate members, the American Arts Revival Act would expand support for those who represent the future of our profession. NAfME is committed to supporting these students and the intent of the ESSA, by providing those who teach music with the same benefits and opportunities as other well-rounded educators.”

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In addition, 32 members of NAfME’s Music Education Policy Roundtable have also endorsed the AARA:

American Choral Directors Association American Orff-Schulwerk Association American School Band Directors Association American String Teachers Association Barbershop Harmony Society Chorus America College Band Directors National Association Conn-Selmer Drum Corps International Education Through Music El Sistema USA Gordon Institute for Music Learning Guitar and Accessories Marketing Association Jazz at Lincoln Center J.W. Pepper & Son Little Kids Rock

Music for All Music Teachers National Association Music Publishers Association National Association for Music Education National Association of Music Merchants  National Association of Music Parents National Music Council Organization of American Kodály Educators Percussive Arts Society Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Progressive Music Quadrant Arts Education Research The Recording Academy Strathmore Hall Foundation VH1 Save the Music Foundation Winter Guard International

 

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NAfME and the Roundtable appreciates the opportunity to work with Congresswoman Velazquez in crafting such an important piece of legislation.  We thank the Congresswoman for her leadership in supporting music and arts educators across the nation.

A full copy of the American Arts Revival Act can be found here and the associated press release issued by the Office of Congresswoman Velazquez can be found here.

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