U.S. Education Secretary Affirms Value of Arts Education

As you may have seen, yesterday U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan released a letter to school officials and community leaders across the nation affirming the vital role of arts education as a core subject and supporting it as an acceptable and appropriate strategy in proposals and programs funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act [ARRA].

"Under ESEA [the Elementary and Secondary Education Act]," the Secretary noted, "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...Moreover, local school districts can use funds under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the arts along with other district expenses." In his letter, the Secretary acknowledged results of the recent 2008 NAEP assessment in the arts, commenting, "The arts can help students become tenacious, team-oriented problem-solvers who are confident and able to think creatively. These qualities can be especially important in improving learning among students from economically disadvantaged circumstances. However, recent NAEP results found that only 57 percent of 8th graders attended schools where music instruction was offered at least three or four times a week, and only 47 percent attended schools where visual arts were offered that often."

The NAMM Foundation and the SupportMusic Coalition will host a live discussion with Secretary Duncan concerning his letter and his support of arts education in our nation's schools on Tuesday, August 18, at 1:00 pm Eastern. Mary Luehrsen, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations of NAMM, will moderate the conversation with Secretary Duncan. Your participation can help demonstrate your support for the Secretary's position that all children have the right to a complete education that includes the arts.

Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Time: 1 PM Eastern, 12 Noon Central, 11 AM Mountain, 10 AM Pacific

High participation in the call is encouraged and desired. Please feel free to distribute widely to school and community partners.

Registration for the conference call stream is now available. Participants may use the following URL to register for the event; please register now and up to 15 minutes prior to the event.

http://webcast.streamlogics.com/audience/index.asp?eventid=78250848

Secretary Duncan will join the call promptly at 1 p.m. ET.

The full text of Secretary Duncan's letter can be viewed here