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Velázquez, Booker Introduce Bicameral Bills to Support Music Education for Underserved Students

February 9, 2023

Velázquez, Booker Introduce Bicameral Bills to Support Music Education for Underserved Students

Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced two pieces of legislation that aim to support and provide students with more access to music and arts in our schools. The first bill, the Music In Our Schools Month Resolution, would support music in schools by affirming the importance of music education, the benefits students receive from its instruction, and recognizing the hard work of music educators across the country. The second bill, the Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education Act of 2023 (GAAME ACT), would further incentivize federal funds to be used to improve access to music and the arts for disadvantaged and low-income students, taught by certified arts and music educators.

"The role of music is crucial in providing students with a well-rounded education and should not be forgotten. We must ensure that students across the nation have equitable access to the arts," said Congresswoman Velázquez. "I'm proud to have worked with Senator Booker to introduce these two pieces of legislation that would open doors for enriching music education in our nation's schools and help to ensure that all children are exposed to the joy and benefits of learning music."

"It is critical that every student across the US receive an inclusive and well-rounded education, including in arts and music," said Senator Booker. "That is why I am proud to introduce this legislation with Representative Velázquez that will not only recognize the positive benefits music and arts have on children and also invest in a comprehensive education for students from every background."

The GAAME Act will amend the Elementary and Secondary School Act (ESEA) to encourage the use of Title I funds to:

1. Bolster the number of certified music and arts educators available.

2. Purchase equipment for music and arts courses (sheet music, instruments, etc.)

3. Provide further professional development for certified music and arts educators.

4. Improve access to sequential, standards-based arts and music education taught by certified educators.

"Music education is a crucial part of a well-rounded education that gives kids a strong foundation in many disciplines, shows them what is possible, and sparks joy. That is why the AFT recently launched a partnership to provide musical instruments to kids and school programs in need, and why we support Rep. Velazquez's Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education Act and the resolution designating March 2023 as Music in Our Schools Month. Providing our kids with access to a comprehensive education that lets them discover their strengths and explore the breadth of the world they live in helps to create a safe, welcoming environment. We would be remiss if we did not include music as part of a curriculum that encourages our kids to thrive."
-Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers

"Education Through Music is a proud supporter of Congresswoman Velazquez's resolution recognizing Music In Our Schools Month. Music is a critical component of every student's educational journey, and this resolution will highlight the incredible impact of music programs in our schools. ETM also fully supports the GAAME Act, which would further ETM's mission of providing low-income students with a comprehensive music education experience."
-Dr. Janice Weinman, Executive Director, Education Through Music

"Music in Our Schools Month is an important reminder for all of us that music isn't an enrichment—it's a critical brain nutrient to support whole-child development for all children and it should start at a birth. If we want stronger readers: we need more music education. If we want better mathematicians: we need more music education. If we want to build community to support inclusive social-emotional development (which we need now more than ever): we need more music education. Kindermusik is a proud NAfME partner, Music in Our Schools Month advocate, and endorser of Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez's Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education (GAAME) Act. Music in all schools, not some, should always be the goal."
-Scott Kinsey, CEO, Kindermusik

"Young Audiences Arts for Learning is proud to express its support for Music In Our Schools Month. In addition to being part of a well-rounded education, music in schools inspires learning across subject areas and expands students' potential to see and make meaningful connections in their classrooms and communities."
- David A. Dik, National Executive Director, Young Audiences Arts for Learning

"State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education's (SEADAE) vision is that all students gain artistic literacy and fluency through equitable access to quality, sequential, standards-based opportunities for arts learning. We are pleased to support the Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education (GAAME) Act of 2023 as this legislation would strengthen the quality of arts education as included in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act by emphasizing sequential, standards-based arts learning and the importance of certified arts educators and community arts providers. Additionally, this legislation prioritizes the importance of school-wide access to music and arts learning aligned to challenging state standards. Additionally, SEADAE appreciates the emphasis on targeted assistance for arts education through proving programmatic assistance for students and certified arts educators, including investing in arts educator professional development as well as supplies and expenses which will undoubtedly improve equitable access to arts learning and strengthen the quality of arts programming for all students. SEADAE urges the 118th Congress to consider and pass this legislation without delay. State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education (SEADAE) is pleased to endorse the resolution expressing support for designation of March 2023 as Music in Our Schools Month. We believe all students should gain artistic literacy and fluency through equitable access to quality, sequential, standards-based opportunities for learning in the arts. Research consistently documents that participation in arts instruction in school promotes student engagement, as well as cognitive, social, and emotional development. Through participating in the arts, students also develop valuable skills that will help prepare them for career or post-secondary. Music in Our Schools Month helps states, districts, and schools recognize and showcase the incredible learning, works, and talents of students and teachers. Additionally, this recognition strengthens positive community engagement with schools. SEADAE urges the 118th Congress to consider and adopt this resolution without delay."
-Todd Shipley, President, State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education (SEADAE)

"The National Association for Music Education is proud to endorse the Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education Act and the Music in Our Schools Month Resolution, introduced by Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (NY-07) and Senator Corey Booker (NJ). As an association, we work towards a future where every child has the opportunity to achieve their creative and musical potential. The GAAME Act brings us closer to that future, by encouraging the use of Title-I funding by school districts for the improvement of access to, and quality of, sequential standards-based music education taught by certified educators. Additionally, we are proud to be working with these offices to introduce a Music In Our Schools Month Resolution. MIOSM is a wonderful opportunity for music educators to put a spotlight on their program and increase awareness around the benefits of music education. I can't think of a better way to kick off the 38th annual MIOSM, than to federally recognize March as ‘Music In Our Schools Month!'"
-Scott Sheehan, President, National Association for Music Education

The GAAME Act is Cosponsored by: Brian Higgins, Paul Tonko, Sanford Bishop, Stephen F. Lynch, Bonnie Watson Coleman, James P. Coleman, Jerrold Nadler, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Deborah Ross, Jahana Hayes, David Scott, Jamaal Bowman, and Raúl Grijalva.

The Music In Our Schools Month Resolution is cosponsored by: Brian Higgins, Paul Tonko, Sanford Bishop, Stephen F. Lynch, Bonnie Watson Coleman, James P. Coleman, Jerrold Nadler, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Deborah Ross, Jahana Hayes, Dwight Evans, Jamaal Bowman, and Raúl Grijalva.

The following organizations support the GAAME Act: American Federation of Teachers, The American Orff-Schulwerk Association, American String Teachers Association, Association for Popular Music Education, College Band Directors National Association, CMA Foundation, Drum Corps International, Education Through Music, Educational Theatre Association, Kindermusik International, Music Publishers Association of the United States, Music Teachers National Association, Music Travel Consultants, National Art Education Association, National Association for Music Education, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Music Merchants, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Concerts, National Dance Education Organization, National Education Association, National Federation of State High School Associations, National Music Council, Nuvo Instrumental, Quadrant Research, Recording Academy, Rock and Soul Forever Foundation, Save the Music Foundation, State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education, Wurrly, LLC, Young Audiences Arts for Learning

The following organizations support the Music In Our Schools Month Resolution: American Federation of Teachers, AASA, The School Superintendents Association, The American Orff-Schulwerk Association, American String Teachers Association, Association for Popular Music Education, College Band Directors National Association, CMA Foundation, Drum Corps International, Education Through Music, Kindermusik International, Music Publishers Association of the United States, Music Teachers National Association, Music Travel Consultants, National Art Education Association, National Association for Music Education, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Music Merchants, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Education Association, National Federation of State High School Associations, National Music Council, National PTA, Nuvo Instrumental, Quadrant Research, Recording Academy, Rock and Soul Forever Foundation, Save the Music Foundation, State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education, Wurrly, LLC, Young Audiences Arts for Learning.