As a proud partner of NAMM, we support their stance on supporting the arts regarding the "No Child Left Behind Act." Here is their latest positioning:
On August 18, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan spoke with the Support Music Coalition regarding his letter about the importance of Arts Education.
Tell your Members of Congress that when the No Child Left Behind Act is reauthorized, Congress should provide flexibility in the law for music and arts programs.
Every child in America deserves to have a complete, well-rounded education that includes music and arts education. These programs develop and foster skills to help students meet the ever-growing demands of a 21st Century workforce.
We must call upon Congress to make a strong commitment to our children. By reauthorizing the No Child Left Behind Act to include music and arts education as "core" academic subjects, our elected officials can make music and arts education a reality for every single American child.
Tell your Members of Congress that support for music and arts education should be strengthened in the reauthorization of NCLB to provide flexibility for all decision makers at the state and local level to include rigorous and sequential programs so that students can continue to reap the benefits of school-based music education.
We at TakeLessons hope that all children can have the same musical education that has been available to previous generations. By supporting the arts you are supporting every child's opportunity to experience the arts as an integral component to a well-rounded education.
Suzy S.