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.
TEACH Act Analysis
This past week, NAfME and NFHS released joint Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization (TEACH) Act copyright analysis aimed at helping music educators teaching in virtual environments.
Teachers engaging in distance learning this fall must understand the copyright laws in this environment. The TEACH Act provides certain protections for music education while distance learning. NAfME, in collaboration with NFHS, has created this new resource to help teachers better understand the copyright implications of using music in a distance learning environment, providing analysis on the TEACH Act as well as addressing some frequently asked questions in this space.
You can access the document here.
California DOE releases Arts Education COVID-19 Guidance
The California Department of Education has released updated Arts Education guidance for distance learning and reopening of schools during the 2020-2021 school year.
NAfME is interested in seeing your state’s arts education specific guidance! Send your state’s guidance to mattb@nafme.org.
State & National News
With Washington Deadlocked on Aid, States Face Dire Fiscal Crises
9/7/2020- ‘Local officials are slashing funding for everything from education and health care to orchestra subsidies.’
Colleges met with strikes, collective action over fall reopening plans
9/8/2020- ‘Several colleges’ decisions to offer campus-based instruction are the subject of strikes or legal pushback as coronavirus cases mount in the U.S.’
Seeking ‘normalcy,’ protecting family: Memphis teachers weigh where to conduct classes during COVID
9/3/2020- ‘Ever since Terence Allen decided he wanted to be a teacher, he imagined himself in a classroom with students. But he’s beginning his first year of teaching during a pandemic with students learning remotely. So Allen grasped for the only sense of normalcy offered to him: teach from a school building.’
Texas Schools Must Send Weekly Coronavirus Case Reports to State Starting Tuesday
9/7/2020- ‘School districts across the state will begin sending weekly COVID-19 infection reports to state education officials starting Tuesday.’
Vermont House to debate state budget amid virus uncertainty
9/7/2020- ‘The Vermont of Representatives is expected to continue debating the 2021 budget this week without knowing whether the federal government will help state and local governments make up budget losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic.’
Research & Analysis
How States Are Using the Coronavirus Relief Fund to Address Education Challenges
Significant attention has been paid to the nearly $31 billion in direct funding to states and territories for education through the Education Stabilization Fund in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. But the $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF), available for COVID-19-related expenses, has emerged as another potential source of aid for schools and colleges.
Music Education Policy Roundup compiled by NAfME’s Matt Barusch.