District News & Notes
GISD Named Top 100 Community for Music Education
Georgetown ISD was recently named one of the Best 100 Communities in America for music education. The results of the national survey were announced today by the American Music Conference (AMC), the non-profit affiliate of NAMM, the International Music Products Association that supports the benefits of music, music education and music making.
The “Best 100” survey was conducted by Perseus Development Corp of Braintree, Mass. and supported by a partnership of leading music and educational organizations during January, February and March. The complete results, along with background information on music education and the survey, can be seen in their entirety at www.amc-music.org.
The 2006 roster includes school districts from 31 states whose commitment to quality music education—measured across a variety of economic, curricular and programmatic criteria—has enabled them to stand out despite the many pressures on music and arts programs across the country. In previous years survey respondents cited that tight budgets in many of the 50 states squeezed school music budgets, but this year’s survey revealed some changes in maintenance and overall support of music programs. Some 86 percent of survey respondents indicated that music is included as a core academic subject in school curricula and instructional priorities that are inline with the definition of arts as core academic subjects as defined in No Child Left Behind (NCLB) policy. Furthermore, more than 80 percent of survey respondents cited that their music programs are growing in terms of funding, size of programs, and public and school board recognition. This outcome supports the views outlined in a 2004 nationwide Gallup Poll that revealed that 93 percent of Americans said that schools should offer musical instrument instruction as part of the regular curriculum.
"All of the communities who participated in the survey should be applauded for making sure music education is part of a quality education for all children," said Mary Luehrsen, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for NAMM. "With testing and accountability requirements, schools are facing many challenges in maintaining curricular time and resources that assure students have access to music education. The schools who participated in the survey and are being recognized here, consider music education integral to a quality education—not optional, elective, or available only if time permits."
Luehrsen also noted that as scientific research continues to bring to light the social, academic and developmental benefits of an education that includes music, communities are placing increased value on music education programs in their districts. "The survey helps to highlight the importance of music education, but it's those communities on the list that truly set the standard. They provide solid role models for community support of music education."
Posted: 4/3/2006 • Department: Fine Arts
