In April of this year, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released a proposal called the "Every Child Achieves Act of 2015," which contained some important elements pertaining to music and arts in education. At the top of the list:
• "Arts" and "music" are included in the new legislative definition of "core academic subjects."
Late last week, the United States Senate passed the bill by a final vote count of 81 to 17 — a move that will help ensure that all students are given the chance to experience music education and the benefits that accompany that experience.
In reaction to the bill's passing, NAfME Assistant Executive Director Chris Woodside says:
“The music education community has poured its blood, sweat, and tears into getting the Senate’s bill to this point. More than 14,000 letters have been sent to Capitol Hill on behalf of music teachers and students. There is bipartisan support for music and arts in this legislation — senators from across the country are acknowledging that these subjects should be national education priorities. That’s really big, and we’re grateful.”
Learn more about the "Every Child Achieves Act" and its key components by visiting the NAfME website.
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