VERY IMPORTANT:
WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU
Due to the increased elimination of music teaching positions over the past four years, it is important to repeat the survey at least one more year to see if this negative trend has slowed. We also need to begin to identify if the quality of music learning and teacher satisfaction has been impacted. Below is the link to a survey sponsored by KMEA regarding the impact that current budget challenges have had on music education. It is important for KMEA to receive a response from every school district in Kansas. Please identify one music educator as a representative from your school district to collect the necessary information and complete the survey on behalf of your district no later than December 31, 2012. We hope all your district's music educators will assist in providing this important information. Go to:
https://surveys.ksu.edu/TS?offeringId=196793

KANSAS MUSIC ADVOCACY NETWORK
KMEA has been working to develop a state-wide network of high-profile advocates who can be contacted at a moment's notice to help support music in schools on the district and state levels. We have heard from two of the six districts. Help us to create this state-wide network of support. Submit one or two names of high-profile music education supporters who are influential in the educational/cultural/business community and knowledgeable of the educational validity of music education. (Please contact the advocate for permission to submit his or her contact information.)

Advocate Name:

Title:

Address:

City/Zip:

Phone Number:

E-Mail Address:

Capitol Hill Visits by NAfME Leaders
In June, more than 100 leaders of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) spent a day on Capitol Hill meeting with members of Congress and their staff members. It was the largest group ever for the annual visits. Chris Woodside, NAfME assistant executive director for advocacy and public affairs, told the leaders, "We are standing at the brink of a very important moment for our cause. As music education advocates, you have all taken tremendous steps in your movement to protect the profession of music education, which you hold dear, to ensure the next generation of students has access to certified music education in America's schools."

Recommendations include:

• Music educators should be EVALUATED by qualified individuals utilizing reliable measures germane to their field.
• The U.S. Department of Education should collect RESEARCH to support the field of music education.
• ACCOUNTABILITY provisions, which include a measurement of music success, are essential.
• FUNDING should be made available to music programs in all appropriate ESEA-authorized programs.
• School day ACCESSIBILITY to music education programs should be maintained and increased across the country.
• CHARTER SCHOOLS, consistent with all public schools, should provide students with a comprehensive education, including access to sequential, standards-based music education.