11/13/2009 - U.S. Department of Education Finalizes Race to the Top

On November 12, the U.S. Department of Education announced the release of the final application for the Race to the Top competition. The $4 billion in Race to the Top funds, provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will be rewarded to the applicants who best advance reform around four areas: 

• Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace and to compete in the global economy;
• Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teachers and principals about how they can improve instruction;
• Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals, especially where they are needed most; and
• Turning around our lowest-achieving schools.

View the final application for Race to the Top.

10/30/2009 - New Report Links High School Graduation Rates to Arts Education

The Center for Arts Education (CAE) recently released a new study of New York City public schools entitled “Staying in School: Arts Education and New York City High School Graduation Rates” which found high school graduation rates and access to arts education to be closely linked. Based on data from more than 200 high schools over a two-year span, the study found the schools with the highest graduation rates offer the most access and resources to support arts education. 

Search “High School Graduation Rates” in the SupportMusic “Make Your Case” database to access the report and view highlights of the research.

10/19/2009 - MENC Hosts Webinar Featuring Colleagues from CCSSO and AEP

On Tuesday, October 13, MENC hosted a webinar for state leaders featuring officers from the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), the Arts Education Partnership (AEP) and our colleagues from the Arts Education Legislative Working Group that tracks legislative action.  The webinar entitled "Federal Policy & State Implementation for State Leaders in Arts Education" covered accessing ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) funds from the U.S. Department of Education programs Race to the Top (RTTT) and Investing in Innovation (I3).

Click here to view the webinar and associated documents.

10/2/2009 - U.S. Department of Education Stakeholders Meeting on Reauthorization of ESEA

On September 24 the U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan made remarks at the monthly stakeholders meeting regarding the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and why we can’t wait.

“Let us build a law that discourages a narrowing of curriculum and promotes a well-rounded education that draws children into sciences and history, languages and the arts in order to build a society distinguished by both intellectual and economic prowess. Our children must be allowed to develop their unique skills, interests, and talents. Let's give them that opportunity.”

MENC Senior Deputy Executive Director Michael Blakeslee was in attendance at the meeting and asked this question of Deputy Secretary Tony Miller:

“Are you in favor of, and will you push for, the public reporting of a wider variety of accomplishments of the schools and of students in all the core academic subjects?”

Deputy Secretary Tony Miller’s response:

“I think, principally, yes… we in education think transparency is very, very important to understand what is the state of learning at the state, district, and school levels, that allow parents and communities to engage effectively… And what we have learned is that there are no single metrics that best capture what is really effective learning.”

Read the Department of Education press release, transcript or view video of the session.

9/25/2009 - Common Core State Standards Available for Comment

The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) released the first official public draft of the college- and career-readiness standards in English-language arts and mathematics as part of the Common Core State Standards Initiative, a process being led by governors and chief state school officers in 51 states and territories. These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing, academic college courses and in workforce training programs.

The NGA Center and CCSSO are encouraging those interested in the standards to provide feedback, which must be supported by research and evidence, by October 21 at www.corestandards.org.

9/15/2009 - Secretary Duncan on the Record

On September 3, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan held a town hall forum in Sacramento, CA.  In response to a question from a community member about promoting arts in schools, Duncan said:  

"It's always the arts that get cut when money gets tight, (but) it's often band, choir, musicals, being on a sports team, being on a debate team that keep children in school.  We cannot afford to narrow the curriculum, and (teaching the arts) is one the best underutilized strategies for keeping children in school."

9/3/2009 - Advocacy Letter to Your Principal

Use the form letter below to send to your principal explaining the use of ESEA Title I funds for music education:

Dear Principal [Insert principal’s name here],

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recently penned a letter in support of arts education and as a reminder to education administrators that Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title I funds may be used to fund arts education in our schools. The Secretary writes,

“At this time when you are making critical and far-reaching budget and program decisions for the upcoming school year, I write to bring to your attention the importance of the arts as a core academic subject and part of a complete education for all students. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) defines the arts as a core subject, and the arts play a significant role in children’s development and learning process.

“Under ESEA, states and local school districts have the flexibility to support the arts. Title I, Part A of ESEA funds arts education to improve the achievement of disadvantaged students. Funds under Title II of ESEA can be used for professional development of arts teachers as well as for strategic partnerships with cultural, arts and other nonprofit organizations.”

I hope you will pursue these funds for music education because, as you may already know [Insert fact about music from the SupportMusic “Make Your Case” database here].

Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to the upcoming school year.

Sincerely,
[Insert your name here]

If you would like an electronic copy of this letter to format for your use, please e-mail advocacy@menc.org.

8/28/2009 - Back to School Advocacy Speech

Use the outline below to address parents on your back to school night:

Welcome, I’d like to say that I’m really looking forward to teaching [blank, e.g. 8th grade chorus] this [year, semester, quarter].

I’m so pleased that we’re able to work together to learn music. Did you know that, in addition to being fun and a great way to round out the education of the whole child, music education:

[Insert an appropriate fact/quote/statistic from the new “Make Your Case” database powered by SupportMusic.com]

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recently stated his support for arts education in an August 2009 letter to school and education community leaders. He writes: “At this time when you are making critical and far-reaching budget and program decisions for the upcoming school year, I write to bring your attention to the importance of the arts as a core academic subject and part of a complete education for all students […] I was reminded of the important role that arts education plays in providing American students with a well-rounded education. The arts can help students become tenacious, team-oriented problem solvers who are confident and able to think creatively.”

Recently, Secretary Duncan highlighted three things advocates can do to bolster arts education locally:
1. Highlight the successes [insert local success story]
2. Support creative partnerships [insert example of a local creative partnership]
3. Encourage parents to demand arts education

As your child’s music teacher, I encourage you to please continue your support of our music program and all of our school’s arts education programs throughout the year.

Again, welcome, and I’m certain that we’ll have a great time together in the coming [year, semester, quarter].