News from MENC...
Celebrities and Students Deliver More than 120,000 Petition Signatures
Supporting Music and Arts Education to Secretary of Education
Washington, D.C. (June 18, 2009) – More music education at an early age is strongly takers with coursework in music
than 120,000 petition signatures were associated with the likelihood that a child performance scored 57 points higher on
delivered to Secretary of Education Arne will graduate from high school, seek the verbal portion and 43 points higher on
Duncan today by celebrities and hundreds higher education and ultimately earn a the math portion.
of students from all over the United States higher salary. In this economy, we need to
at a rally in support of music and arts give our children every tool we can in
“We are here today to make a joyful noise
education. The petitions urge the order to lay the foundation for success.
in support of music education. We hope
administration to recognize music and arts Music education is not just a ‘feel good’
that the presence of hundreds of students
as mandatory subjects. While recognized subject. It helps to sharpen academic skills
today, some from as far away as Alaska
as core subjects under the Elementary and in math and other subjects and provides
conveys to Secretary Duncan and
Secondary Education Act (ESEA - important socialization skills such as team
Congress how important music is in the
formerly known as “No Child Left work.”
development of students who will become
Behind”), which is currently up for
our future leaders. Keeping music in
MENC members all over the country have
reauthorization, music programs are being
reported a reduction in budgets. One
schools is crucial,” actress and music
cut nationwide to due to shrinking
teacher has gone from serving one
education advocate Florence Henderson
education budgets. elementary school to dividing her time
added.
among three each week. “This is a prime
Music educators represented by MENC:
example of how budget cuts are impacting
Other notable rally attendees included
The National Association of Music access to music education,” stated Barbara former National Basketball Association
Education were joined by celebrities,
Geer, MENC President.
star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, nationally
students and elected officials in an effort syndicated “Funky Winkerbean”
to change this trend, encouraging the
A 2007 Harris Interactive Poll report
cartoonist Tom Batiuk, and Mrs. America
Administration and Congress to revise
found that 83 percent of people whose
2009 Maureen MacDonald.
ESEA to ensure music and the arts are
income is higher than $150,000
mandatory core subjects for all students so
participated in music education. Another
“Without music, I would not be where I
these programs will continue to receive
Harris study (2006) found schools with
am today,” said Congressman Joe
financial support in light of budget
music programs have a significantly
Crowley, D-New York, 7th District. New
reductions.
higher graduation and attendance rate
York’s P.S. 83 elementary school rock
(90.2 percent compared to 72.9 percent
band the “Rockin’ Bulldogs,” from
MENC Executive Director Dr. John
and 93.3 percent compared to 84.9
Crowley’s district, performed at the rally.
Mahlmann stated “Research shows that
percent, respectively). Additionally, The
The school’s music program was restored
College Board (2006) reports that SAT
by the VH1 Save the Music foundation
and, as a result, its music students were
able to travel to Washington, DC to show
their support for the mandate. “Music was
part of what excited me about going to
school every day, and my love for it has
stayed with me throughout my life. It has
enhanced all aspects of my life, and it is
my hope that we can work together to
ensure all children have the same
opportunity.”
The rally is part of the first annual Music
Education Week in Washington, which
features professional development
seminars for music educators, Capitol Hill
visits, and student performances at the
Lincoln Memorial, the Air Force
Memorial and the Kennedy Center. To
learn more, please visit www.menc.org.
22 August 2009
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