A Message from the NAfME North Central Division President Dr. Lance D. Nielsen


Music education is at an exciting point in history. I believe as music education professionals, it is important for all of us to be informed of the changes going on not only within our division, but nationally as well. Two of the most notable im- pacts on music education have been the National Core Arts Standards and recent steps towards ESEA reauthorization.


With the re-imagining of the National Core Arts Standards, many of our states are beginning to review, adopt, or reframe their state music standards to reflect the new National Core Arts Standards. The revised standards have provided a focus more on the process of music learning rather than product. Your state leaders have been involved in important dialogue in how NAfME and state MEAs are approaching the imple- mentation, adoption, and professional development of the National Core Arts Standards.


This past summer, we finally saw progress on the ESEA re- authorization with the passing of the “Every Child Achieves Act of 2015” (S. 1177), and the House of Representatives version, “Student Success Act” (H.R. 5). Chris Woodside, NAfME Government Relations chair and his team of NAfME staff members have been wonderful advocates, liaisons, and promoters of the music agenda in this process. The Senate bill includes music and arts as core academic subjects, mak- ing music programs eligible for a wider range of grants, and ensures that Annual Yearly Progress does not determine dis- tribution of federal funding for schools. Both the Senate and House versions of the bills will greatly enhance local control by limiting the Department of Education’s powers. The next step will involve the Congress’ Conference Committee to find common ground between the two legislative versions. NAfME will keep a close and thoughtful eye on the congres- sional conversations that may impact music education.


The items mentioned above affecting music education have been the fruits of advocacy efforts by many of you and by the collaborative efforts of our state MEA leaders. The progress on both of these fronts is an example of the impor- tant work of our family of associations. NAfME and State MEA’s work together to ensure federal and state legislation impacting music education is appropriate and helpful to mu- sic education for ALL students. We can’t do this alone. Our ground roots advocacy efforts have made a crucial difference in promoting the importance of music education for every child and your continued support will be crucial as we move forward.


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Your North Central NAfME Division Board consists of the presidents of the ten states within in our division as well as input by executive state leaders, president-elects, and imme- diate past-presidents. This board is essentially an advisory board in which topics of concerns, innovative ideas, and partnerships are shared. This board also serves as an impor- tant conduit of information and data gathering between the NAfME National Leadership to you the member. We meet face to face at least twice a year and during these meetings, many great ideas are shared. We learn from each other and we support each other through this process. I want to share with you a few ‘Shout-outs” of a few initiatives going on within the North Central Division. There are examples of advocacy efforts, new strategic directions, and improved communications with membership through social network- ing and innovative technology.


MUSIC SHOUT-OUTS


Iowa IMEA has participated in the Iowa Alliance for Arts Educa- tion Advocacy Day at the statehouse. Last January, over 100 arts educators and students participated and they spoke with all 150 Iowa State legislators about the importance of arts education.


Indiana Indiana MEA has a wealth of professional development opportunities for their members including; General Music Workshop, Beginning and Developing Teacher Workshop, Future Educators Colloquium, Circle the State with Song Festival, Festival and Clinic, Collegiate Leadership Sympo- sium, Folk Dance Festival, and a Composition Competition.


Illinois


The Illinois Advocacy Day is a partnership with Arts Alli- ance Illinois, the Illinois Art Education Association and the Illinois Music Education Association. Last school year, it in- volved 40+ teachers, administrators and industry representa- tives who met with legislators promoting the importance of arts education in Illinois including ¬calls upon the Governor to remember the importance of the arts throughout the bud- geting process and calls upon elected officials and schools throughout the State of Illinois to maintain arts programs.


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