February 1, 2009
Now is the time to let your voice be heard about the importance of music education for every child. Anticipated budget cuts for schools across the country are causing concerns about support for school music programs. More than half of the state and district-level music supervisors recently surveyed report that their schools are currently experiencing cutbacks now or expect them in the coming year, and more than half expect those cutbacks to impact the music programs specifically.
You can make a difference as school budgets are reviewed, prepared and debated in the weeks ahead. Download a printable version Be Heard Brochure for your local coalition – and get started TODAY!
Consider these actions TODAY to assure that your child – and every child in your community -- can participate in a school music program. Your help can make all the difference for their success in school and in life.
TODAY: Visit or phone the principal of your child’s school and offer to help him/her assure that your school’s music program continues to provide important educational opportunities for students.
TODAY: Encourage other parents of music students to speak with the principal and school administration and offer your group’s help to keep music part of the core curriculum.
TODAY: Gather a small group of concerned parents and visit your school superintendent and other school district officials. Express a concern that the school’s music programs be funded at levels to support participation for all students; do this NOW.
TODAY: Keep messages positive and focused on student success and achievement in music and in school. Celebrate students’ musical activities and accomplishments. Circulate pictures to local press, school newsletters and community e-newsletters. Shine a light on your student’s success through music education, making sure that everyone experiences first-hand the program’s impact. Organize student performances at every local, district or state event; allow school administrators to conduct or to sit in with the group. Need help with a press release? See samples in the Community Action Kit.
TODAY: Form a steering committee and schedule attendance at all School Board meetings, starting now. Monitor school budget preparations, schedule student musical presentations, participate in all board and public budget discussion meetings. Express parents’ shared concern that all students receive music as part of the core curriculum.
TODAY: Participate in the national advocacy network for music education. Explore the many resources on this website to learn more about how you can help keep your music education programs strong. Send an email to info@nammfoundation.org to find out how you can be a part of national efforts.
Research and Advocacy Tools to Use Right Now
Research reveals strong correlations between quality music education in school and academic achievement, healthy social development, preparation for the 21st century workplace and the quality of a young person’s life. Here are some key points you can use to help build and maintain support for music education in our public schools:
- 91% of American voters indicate that music and the arts are essential to building capacities of the imagination. 82% of voters want to build imagination and creative skills in schools. Almost 9 in 10 voters agree that the imagination is a key ingredient to innovation and student success. – 2007 poll by Lake Research Partners
- Students in high quality school music education programs score higher on standardized tests compared to students in schools with deficient music education programs, independent of the socioeconomic level of the school or school district. – study conducted by Dr. Christopher Johnson, University of Kansas, published in the Spring 2007 issue of the Journal for Research in Music Education
- 96% of high school principals surveyed agree that participating in music education encourages and motivates students to stay in school. 89% feel that a high-quality music education program contributes to their school achieving higher graduation rates. – 2006 poll by Harris Interactive
- Teens who participate in music education programs see music as their “social glue,” as a bridge for building acceptance and tolerance for people of different ages and cultural circumstances, and associate playing music with music literacy, self-discipline, listening skills, motor ability, eye-hand coordination and heightened intellectual capabilities. – study conducted by Dr. Patricia Shehan Campbell, University of Washington, published in the Fall 2007 Issue of the Journal for Research in Music Education
Parents Can Make A Difference – Get Inspired and Take Action TODAY!
And, for two articles written by parents and community members – just like you – who took action in their own communities, read Angel LaMarca’s CounterPoint column on how to create School Board support for music programs and this column about two fathers who took action to save their children’s music programs.
For more free advocacy tips and tools, download the SupportMusic Commmunity Action Kit and the brochure, Keep Music Education Strong, in English or Spanish.
