NAfME News
You are invited to attend the NAfME National Rally for Music Education on Thursday, June 25th from 11:00AM-12:30AM EDT.
The national rally will be led by the National Association for Music Education’s state and national leadership in collaboration with multiple colleagues in the field. Celebrate music educators who are committed to teach all students and unite your voice with us as we continue to advocate for the inclusion of music in our schools. Learn about the COVID-19 resources and tools available through NAfME; hear from music education advocates on what’s working now; be inspired through story and song; and leave on a high note with remarks by our NAfME President, Dr. Spradley. To attend the NAfME’s virtual National Rally for Music Education on June 25th, click here.
State & National News
Efforts to close digital divide top states’ plans for emergency relief funds
6/15/2020- ‘States are also prioritizing training for teachers in deciding how to distribute a total of almost $3 billion for pandemic-related needs.’
SC educators try to make school plans as COVID-19 cases rise
6/12/2020- ‘South Carolina educators talked Thursday about how schools can prepare to have students return in about two months amid the COVID-19 pandemic even as nearly all indicators about the disease’s spread in South Carolina are going up.’
Mississippi schools get schedule options during pandemic
6/13/2020- ‘The Mississippi Department of Education is offering options for how schools can offer classes starting in the fall semester, with consideration for social distancing and other safety guidelines because of the coronavirus pandemic.’
Reopening guide encourages colleges to have a backup plan
6/16/2020- ‘A new guide jointly published by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and Tuscany Strategy Consulting spells out the steps college leaders must take to resume in-person instruction amid the pandemic.’
Pandemic looms over New Mexico Legislature, state finances
6/18/2020- ‘Legislators are gathering to shore up New Mexico state finances for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic struck.’
Ohio lawmakers call on lottery to supplement school funding
6/17/2020- ‘An Ohio state lawmaker is calling on the state lottery to get creative to help schools after Gov. Mike DeWine cut $355 million from the state education budget to balance the books.
Research and Analysis
ECS: 50-State Comparison: 529 Education Savings Plans
529 education savings plans — tax-advantaged accounts that are designed to help families save for educational expenses — are authorized by the federal tax code but administered at the state level. Therefore, state policy is a key factor in how these plans function.
Policy Roundup compiled by NAfME’s Matt Barusch.