Music Education Advocacy - the responsibility of all of us

Music Education Advocacy: The Responsibility of All of Us

by Robert Floyd

Before the times of decreasing school budgets, block scheduling, increased graduation requirements and TAAS, we as music educators felt fairly comfortable that support for our programs would always be there. All of us now know that a philosophy of status quo quite often will result in our programs not necessarily being intentionally cut but of being caught up in the backwash of the implementation of a latest educational philosophy or whim of an administrator or board of education. Those in authority in some school districts throughout our state quite often do not want to spend budgeted dollars, staffing positions and instructional minutes on any discipline that in their eyes does not improve a TAAS score. Ironically, as arts educators we know that meaningful, rigorous, sequential study in fine arts and music can make a significant contribution to student performance in the Foundation subjects. A recent study by the Texas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development has determined that over 2000 specific elements of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills in the Enrichment Curriculum lead to improved student performance in the Foundation Curriculum.

It is our responsibility to share the value of our art form as presented in other pages of this publication with school administrators, members of your board of education and your local community. It is essential that not only all music educators work together but all fine arts teachers and supporters in your district strive to carry the message of the importance of fine arts to the education of our students.

In visiting with lobbyists in Austin about what we should do to protect the arts in the curriculum, the response is always the same. "If the local community wants it, the local board of education and administration will see that they have it." Much of this section of this publication speaks to how you, your students, and parents of those students can make that happen. Furthermore, the Texas Music Program section provides definitive information that parents can take to an administration or school board and outline specific requests for what they would like to see in programs in their community. I encourage you to use these documents in a positive and meaningful manner.

Finally, the TMEA office staff is always available to assist in any way possible to help you promote your program. Please give us a call at 512.452.0710 or 888.318.TMEA.

Robert Floyd
Executive Director

Permission is granted to duplicate and distribute the articles and other materials included in this document.