Thank Sec. Arne Duncan – SEND US YOUR LETTER

A highlight of the last few months was the issuing of a letter about the value and importance of arts education from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and his participation on a SupportMusic Coalition conference call on August 18. The letter, audio file and transcript of the call are available at www.supportmusic.com.

I must say that for me, who has been at this advocacy agenda for quite a while, it was thrilling to hear the words from the Secretary of Education that arts education was considered to be so important in the administration’s education reform agenda. Like all policy development and issues, many details remain to be defined as we go forward, but it was undeniable that there exists a spirit of understanding about the value of arts education and that this view is being reaffirmed by teachers, school administrators and parents as the Secretary continues on a national “listening tour” of schools around the country.

It is very important that we thank Sec. Duncan for his letter and express our willingness as partners to advance goals for expanded access and equity for arts education. Please join us in thanking Sec. Duncan for issuing this important letter that affirms that the arts are indeed part of the core curriculum and important for every child in America. He also outlined precise funding pathways, including economic stimulus funds that can be used to support access to music and arts education.

Write a letter NOW! Sample text is provided below, but an authentic, personal letter is even better. Prepare it on your organization or school letter head – as applicable. Send via email to SandraJ@namm.org by Nov. 1. All letters will be bound together and hand delivered to Secretary Duncan and will help to reinforce this shared commitment.

Let’s move this along – together.

More soon – would love to hear from you.

MaryL

NAMM/NAMM Foundation

Sample thank you letter text:

Dear Secretary Duncan,

On behalf of the children and young people of the United States, thank you for your leadership and your strong affirmation to state and school district education leaders that the arts are a core academic subject under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and for reinforcing that states and local communities have the flexibility to support quality sequential K-12 arts programs with ESEA Title I, Title II and ARRA funds. All children deserve access to the developmental benefits provided by a complete education that includes music and the arts. Strengthening communities’ abilities to support quality arts programs at this time will positively impact young people’s critical thinking, team-building, problem-solving and creative skills as they prepare to work and thrive in the 21st century. Your continued leadership will allow millions more students to access the arts and music instruction they need to do better in school and in life.

A chorus of Americans join me and my organization in thanking you for this important message. We stand ready to assist you and the Department in achieving our shared goal of a quality education for all children.

Sincerely,

[NAME] [Title] [direct contact info]