PRESIDENT-ELECT’S COLUMN...
Helping Policy Makers Listen! Gary Brandes, MMEA President-elect
Once again I find myself in what I consider an envious position from which I am able to serve the MMEA membership in a leadership capaci- ty. June 28 through July 1, found me in Tysons Corner, VA, attending the 2013 NAfME National Leadership Assembly. While in attendance I participated in the “NAfME Advoca- cy Day” on Capitol Hill in Washing- ton D.C. Prior to my trip to Washing- ton D.C. I scheduled appointments with Congressman Blaine Luetke- meyer (3rd
an Ann Wagner (2nd
District), Congresswom- District) and
Senator Claire McCaskill. Each office responded positively and invited me to visit on Friday, June 28.
My agenda included discussion of the Elementary and Secondary Edu- cation Act (ESEA) reauthorization that is currently being debated in the House and Senate. The ESEA was last amended in 2001 and became known as “No Child Left Behind.” The Senate version of the ESEA bill is very arts friendly. The Senate ver- sion of the bill also lists “music” spe- cifically as an enumerated covered subject for a Well-Rounded educa- tion. This is extremely exciting news for the music education communi- ty! I will speak to the House version later in this article.
My day began with a quick breakfast at the law offices of Nelson Mullins across the street from the capitol. Before leaving I visited with NAfME President-Elect Glenn Nierman who gave me directions to the various of- fice buildings.
From there the race began finding my way to each office building for my scheduled appointments. It is hot and muggy in Washington D.C. in June!! My speaking points includ- ed the following, all related to the ESEA Reauthorization:
• Ask Congress to ensure that we maintain the arts as a CORE ACADEMIC SUBJECT in any re- authorization of ESEA.
• Music educators should be EVALUATED by qualified individ- uals utilizing reliable measures germane to their field.
• Stipulate that the U.S. Depart- ment of Education collect RE- SEARCH in support of the music education.
• Include provisions for AC- COUNTABILITY that measures successful education for all stu- dents.
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• Congress should ensure that all federal FUNDING streams be available for music education.
• Ensure school day ACCESSIBILI- TY to music education programs across the country.
• CHARTER SCHOOLS need to be consistent with public schools in offering a comprehensive edu- cation that includes music edu- cation taught by certified music educators.
Glenn Nierman and Gary Brandes at NAfME Advocacy Day in Washington D.C.
I visited with Congressman Luet- kemeyer and his legislative corre- spondent, Trey McKenzie for ap- proximately 25 minutes. Both were very aware of the reauthorization proposals. Congressman Luetke- meyer is very supportive of teach- ers and the important job we do. He was adamant about his stance of local controls for teachers and schools in terms of curriculum and evaluation. Senator McCaskill was not in the office, but her legislative correspondent and education rep- resentative, Lucia Alonzo, did meet with me for about 20 minutes. Lucia is a violinist and attended Truman State University. Lucia is positive ad- vocate for music education and she assured me that Senator McCaskill shares the same beliefs. Congress- woman Wagner was already back in Missouri when I arrived at her office but her legislative assistant Erik Rust sat with me in Wagner’s
MISSOURI SCHOOL MUSIC
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