The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) has joined with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) in calling for full funding of Title II Part A and asking for constituents to help.
“We are only two months removed from the President requesting the elimination of Title II, Part A, in his budget,” explain NASSP and NAfME. “Eliminating Title II, Part A funding would remove an important resource used by school districts to provide and support high-quality professional development for all teachers, including music educators.”
As the note from the two associations goes on to elaborate: “The President’s budget called for eliminating Title II, Part A, the main funding source for professional development for educators and school leaders, and for eliminating Title IV, Part B, an important funding source for after-school programs. Finally, the President’s budget suggested that $50 million in Title I, Part A funds be used to support portability options – allowing funding to follow a child instead of supporting a Title I program. Portability, which the administration supports, removes funds from high-poverty schools where Title I funds typically provide needed supplemental programs for children, including arts integration and music programs. Congress has wisely rejected earlier attempts by the Trump administration to change how Title I funds support high-poverty school programs and has continued to fund Title II-A and Title IV-B, including the recommended raised levels coming out of the House’s Appropriations Committee.”
NAfME encourages students, educators, and those who value music and art to send an email to their members of Congress urging them to fully fund Title II, Part A. Advocates can also look for ideas on how to advocate for Title II, Part A through social media, writing letters, or calling their members of Congress.
