STEAM Co-Chair Questions Secretary Duncan on Funding for Arts Programs

This week, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan testified on the FY 2015 Department of Education’s budget request for the House Education and Workforce Committee.

At Tuesday’s hearing, Representative Suzanne Bonamici, co-chair of the Congressional STEAM Caucus, questioned Secretary Duncan on the availability of funds for STEAM programs.  Secretary Duncan stated that in his view, STEM and STEAM are interchangeable and therefore STEM funding should be made available for programs that include the arts.  He also commented on the availability of funding for “turnaround schools” for arts programs.  While the Department has not necessarily prioritized arts education funding, his answer was inclusive of the arts and re-emphasized the Department’s budgetary focus on innovation.

Watch the link below to hear more:

Shannon Kelly, Director of Advocacy, May 1, 2014. © National Association for Music Education (NAfME.org)