NAfME Endorses Rep. Velazquez’s Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education Act

The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) has announced their endorsement of Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez’s (D-NY-7) Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education (GAAME) Act (H.R. 6137).

If passed, this legislation would provide articulating language to encourage school districts to use their Title I, Part A Funds (school-wide and targeted assistance grants) to improve access to music and arts education for disadvantaged and low-income students, taught by certified music educators. The GAAME Act is co-lead by Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA-8) and has thirty-seven original cosponsors from across the country.

NAfME executive director and chief executive officer, Mike Blakeslee, issued the following statement regarding the Association’s endorsement of the GAAME Act:

“As an Association, our mission has always been to promote the understanding and making of music by all. When music was enumerated as part of a “well-rounded education,” we became one step closer to achieving that goal, and the Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education Act (GAAME) will continue that same trajectory. This legislation will encourage school districts to use their Title I, Part A funds to improve student access to a sequential and standards-based music education for disadvantaged and low-income students. NAfME is committed to supporting these students, who all deserve access to and equity in the delivery of music education. We thank Congresswoman Velazquez and Congressman Reichert for their leadership on this important issue.”