Secretary of Education Speaks To SupportMusic Coalition
On August 18, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan spoke with the SupportMusic Coalition regarding his letter about the importance of Arts Education. I was lucky enough to be a part of that call and hear Secretary Duncan talk about the importance of music and arts education in our schools. The complete text of the phone call as well as an audio recording is available at supportmusic.com I would recommend that you take some time to hear what Duncan had to say to use in your own advocacy work. See below for a copy of letter I sent to be included with letters from other members of the SupportMusic Coalition.
October 21, 2009
Dear Secretary Duncan,
On behalf of the over seventy school districts that we serve as a school music dealer and on behalf of the students, parents, teachers and community members of those districts, we would like to thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on the arts with the SupportMusic Coalition. Your ability to take the time from your schedule to address such an important issue shows your commitment to arts education.
In our role as a business that services school music programs, we see how music and arts classes compel students to come to school everyday. We know that in some school districts, the arts are not seen as “equal” to other academic programs. We appreciate your words reminding education leaders that the arts are a core academic subject under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
As you know when students have the opportunity to participate in quality arts education programs, they not only excel in other academic subjects but they also take with them real life skills that are often unable to be tested. We see growth in such skills as creativity, problem-solving and probably most importantly social skills. These areas of growth cannot be measured or tested by a standardized form of assessment. Of course, that does not mean they should not be taught. The arts, especially music, have the ability to teach those skills through regular participation.
Again, we thank you for making the arts a part of your focus as you take on the role of Secretary of Education. We wish you well and hope to work with you and the Department as we make a quality arts education for all students possible.
Sincerely,
Mark R. Despotakis
posted by Progressive Music at 9:31 AM
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