ESSA Passage Provides Opportunities to Expand Music Learning During the School Day: A Call to Action

REQUEST school and community leaders to work with school district, who will ultimately work with state education departments to: * Use federal, state and local education funds to develop and expand music education programs available to all students during the school day as part of school turnaround and reform objectives. * Use federal, state and local education funds to pay certified music and arts educators and supporting needed educational materials - to allow for access and opportunity for more students to receive the benefits of music. * Use federal, state and local education funds to expand music education curriculum offerings to under-served students. * Review the district's opportunities to participate in the federal preschool grant program that included the arts within the "Essential Domain of School Readiness" definition [hyperlink "essential domain of readiness" www.ed.gov/early-learning/elc-draft-summary/definitions] * Work with district administration on accountability metrics that include opportunity for music education for all students in K-12 as part of school climate assessments that are reportable to both state and federal education agencies.