News from the US Department of Education “Investing in Innovation” – COMMENT NOW

News reached many of us yesterday that the U.S. Department of Education announced priorities for the Investing in Innovation Fund. Details are available at http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/10/10062009a.html and http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/programs.html.

Like many such postings, there will be a 30-day comment period and I urge folks to follow the link provided and offer their comments about access and equity for music and arts education to assure that the arts will considered part of this program. If we are concerned, we must lend our voices to the discussion; follow this link http://www.regulations.gov to submit your comments electronically. A direct link to complete information about the program is available at
http://www.ed.gov/programs/innovation/index.html. Guidelines for the Investing in Innovation Fund indicate that final application will be available in early 2010 with proposals due next spring.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting with the Department’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Innovation and Improvement Jim Shelton who leads this initiative. He is featured in the Department’s newsletter, “The Innovator”  and about the Innovation Fund, he states: “I also see us looking to our arts and financial-literary programs for opportunities to push the envelope and really craft solutions that drive a different level of academic achievement and school performance.”

Music and arts educators and school leadership should be encouraged by this opportunity to apply for funding for school music and arts programs that are central to student success.

More soon – would love to hear from you.

MaryL

NAMM/NAMM Foundation