Statewide budget cuts to arts education such as those described above will result in disastrous losses to valuable music education resources.  Some music teacher positions may be eliminated from schools altogether, arts supplies and musical equipment could be sacrificed, and even music programs that ultimately survive the cuts can expect to see significant increases in class size, at a minimum.  The cold, hard truth is that California schools have not faced a prospective arts budget cut of this size and magnitude since 1979

 

Something must be done -- and now.

 

Music education advocates in California and all across the country have a responsibility to act immediately in order to let Governor Schwarzenegger and the rest of the state's delegation know that significant, disproportionate funding cuts to music education and other arts programs is not acceptable.  Please contact the Governor, your congressperson, and/or your local state representative, to make the following requests on behalf of protecting the future of music education and other arts programs in the state of California:

• Absolutely zero funding cuts in K-12 education for the 2008-2009 school year.
• No decrease in state monies allotted to California schools.
• Arts Block Grant Funding is to continue to be designated only for arts in education programs in schools.  Vote NO on any bill designed to allow for the redesignation of block grant funding monies.
• Most importantly:  Arts funding cuts of all kinds hurt education.  Protect music and the other arts in this, and all future education budgeting.

To contact Governor Schwarzenegger, please click here.

To contact your congressperson and/or local state representative, please click here.

 

The deadline for action is May 9, 2008, so it is imperative not to let another moment pass.  

 

***If you are interested in further advocating for the music education cause in California, below, a number of grassroots advocacy tools have been included in this message which can be of assistance in preparing talking points, planning a state house visit, or speaking with local schools boards and administrators.  Please explore these resources, and make certain to follow real time happenings in music education advocacy and public policy by regularly checking MENC's "The Recorder" advocacy news feed on our new web site. ***

 

"The Power of Music ... Changing Lives" an MENC advocacy brochure series

http://www.menc.org/resources/view/the-power-of-music-advocacy-brochure-series

 

"Music for All Students:  Planning Music Education Advocacy" an instructional advocacy PDF

http://www.menc.org/documents/legislative/planning_music_ed_ad_web.pdf

 

Harris Interactive Polls on the Value of Music Education contain findings that support the case for music

http://www.menc.org/documents/legislative/HarrisPollOmnibusResults.pdf

http://www.stratacomm.net/wwwroot/MENC/HarrisPoll_Nov07/release.html

 

Additional Advocacy Resources

http://www.menc.org/resources/view/advocacy-and-public-policy-quick-resources

 

 *For more information on how to get involved locally, please contact the California Association for Music Education (CMEA)

 

Thank you for your continued support of music education in California!