RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING BENEFITS AND IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL-BASED MUSIC EDUCATION PASSED BY US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES MUSIC EDUCATION RESOLUTION
On May 4, 2004 the United States House of Representatives approved a
resolution supporting music education. We encourage you to send a
letter to your congressperson thanking him or her for supporting music
in schools. It's very easy to do, just visit www.house.gov/writerep
and enter your zip code. You will be linked right away to a form to
contact your representative. You can encourage your students and
parents to write to their representative as well.
For a complete listing of sponsors and votes on this resolution, visit http://thomas.loc.gov and enter "H Con Res 380" in the "Bill Number"
field.
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES MUSIC EDUCATION RESOLUTION
On May 4, 2004 the United States House of Representatives approved a
resolution supporting music education. We encourage you to send a
letter to your congressperson thanking him or her for supporting music
in schools. It's very easy to do, just visit www.house.gov/writerep
and enter your zip code. You will be linked right away to a form to
contact your representative. You can encourage your students and
parents to write to their representative as well.
For a complete listing of sponsors and votes on this resolution, visit http://thomas.loc.gov and enter "H Con Res 380" in the "Bill Number"
field.
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. CON. RES. 380
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas school music programs enhance intellectual development and
enrich the academic environment for students of all ages;
Whereas students who participate in school music programs are less
likely to be involved with drugs, gangs, or alcohol and have better
attendance in school;
Whereas the skills gained through sequential music instruction,
including discipline and the ability to analyze, solve problems,
communicate, and work cooperatively, are vital for success in the 21st
century workplace;
Whereas the majority of students attending public schools in inner
city neighborhoods have virtually no access to music education, which
places them at a disadvantage compared to their peers in other
communities;
Whereas local budget cuts are predicted to lead to significant
curtailment of school music programs, thereby depriving millions of
students of an education that includes music;
Whereas the arts are a core academic subject, and music is an
essential element of the arts; and
Whereas every student in the United States should have an opportunity
to reap the benefits of music education: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That-- (1) it is the sense of the Congress that music education
grounded in rigorous instruction is an important component of a
well-rounded academic curriculum and should be available to every
student in every school; and
(2) the Congress recognizes NAMM, the International Music Products
Association for its efforts to designate a Music in Our Schools Month
in order to highlight the important role that school music programs
play in the academic and social development of children.
Passed the House of Representatives May 4, 2004.
Attest:
Clerk.
Source: http://thomas.loc.gov enter "H Con Res 380" in search field
RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING BENEFITS AND IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL-BASED MUSIC
EDUCATION PASSED BY US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
CARLSBAD, Calif., May 13, 2004-In a victory for school music education
programs across the country, the US House of Representatives recently
passed H. CON. RES, 380 recognizing the benefits and importance of
school-based music education. The resolution was read on the floor of
the House on May 4, 2004 at 7:04 Eastern time and covered on cable
television by C-SPAN.
The resolution, the result of years of lobbying by NAMM and its
partners, was read by sponsor Representative Jim Cooper of Tennessee
and was co-sponsored by 31 other representatives including congressman
Randy "Duke" Cunningham, a longtime ally of NAMM and music education.
"This resolution expresses the view of the Congress that studying
music helps kids achieve in school and supports the industry's efforts
to make sure that all children have access to music study as part of a
quality education," said Mary Luehrsen, director of public affairs and
government relations, NAMM. "It also stresses that the developmental
attributes taught by music education including discipline, analytical
thinking, problem solving, communication and interpersonal skills are
vital for success in the 21st century workplace. This document gives
grassroots advocacy groups a new tool in their local campaigns to
preserve music education in our communities."
The resolution also recognized NAMM "for its efforts to designate a
national "Music in Our Schools Month" in order to highlight the
important role that school music programs play in the academic and
social development of children."
"NAMM is pleased to be recognized by Congress and we share those
accolades with many other organizations including MENC, the National
Association for Music Education and The American Music Conference
(AMC) who work daily to provide a strong music education for every
child," said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM.
Source: http://www.namm.com/pressroom/pressreleases/2004May13.html
Barb Williams forwarded this article by Michael Winerip, and asked me to post it ("It is, I believe, the sum of all we need in education--period, the end"):
The secret to quality public education has never been a big mystery. You need good teachers and you need small enough classes so those teachers can do their work. Period. After that, everything seems to pale, including the testing accountability programs, technology, building conditions. Even curriculum seems secondary, as our best public colleges demonstrate. We have West Point and we have Berkeley, and the question isn't which has the correct curriculum; the question is which curriculum is the best fit for the student and teacher.Parents get this. Joe Gipson, a black parent from Sacramento who feels that black students are too often shortchanged, told me the best thing that happened to his children's school was the California law capping class size at 20 through third grade. You can still have incompeten