NAfME News
States MEAs Can Now Sign the Arts Education is Essential Statement
The Arts Education is Essential statement has been an important part of ongoing advocacy efforts for NAfME and other arts education advocates to ensure continued music and arts education in schools throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 113 national organizations have signed onto this statement, and now your MEA can join us and sign this statement. Send this link to your MEA President and ask them to sign your MEA onto the Arts Education is Essential statement. Thank you to those state MEAs that have already signed-on.
State & National News
The play must go on: Moving arts ed forward during COVID-19
9/22/2020- ‘With social distancing and remote learning still the norm for many students, theater, performing arts and even spoken word projects have been affected tremendously by the pandemic. New York’s Broadway theaters and many others nationwide remain closed.’
Amid changes to diploma rules, Newark’s graduation rate climbs above 80%
9/25/2020- ‘Newark’s on-time graduation rate reached 81% in 2020 — the highest it’s been in decades, district officials said.’
Governor Ducey Announces $14 Million To Support Universities’ Response To Pandemic
9/25/2020- ‘Joined by public health and university leaders, Governor Doug Ducey today announced the State of Arizona is investing $14 million additional dollars to support the efforts of Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University to contain the spread of COVID-19 and protect Arizona communities.’
Texas Lottery contributes record $1.68B to state education, veterans
9/24/2020- ‘The Texas Lottery has donated record contributions to the state’s education and veterans as it has achieved more than $6.7 billion in sales this year.’
States invest in datacasting to bridge the K-12 digital divide
9/28/2020- ‘The tech would allow students to receive instructional content in remote areas without internet and comes encrypted for data security.’
Local Officials Say They Need More Time to Spend CARES Act Money, as Future Aid Remains in Doubt
9/26/2020- ‘Local officials say a looming end-of-year deadline for their governments to use hundreds of millions of dollars in federal coronavirus aid could force them to unnecessarily rush spending over the coming three months and will limit them from spreading the money into next year when the virus is likely to still be a threat.’
NJ lawmakers greenlight $4.5B in debt to shore up budget
9/28/2020- ‘The lion’s share of the $4.5 billion in debt will go toward funding the state’s K-12 school formula, or about $2.3 billion. Also getting funded is medical education, health care subsidies and services for maternal, child and chronic health care.’
Research & Analysis
50-State Comparison: State K-3 Policies
Following a high-quality early care and pre-K experience, the kindergarten-through-third-grade years set the foundation upon which future learning builds; and strengthening this continuum creates opportunities for later success. Key components of a quality experience in K-3 include school readiness and transitions, kindergarten requirements, educator quality, prevention, intervention and assessments, and social and emotional learning and mental health.
Policy Roundup compiled by NAfME’s Matt Barusch.