The Latest on Music Education Policy from Capitol Hill
MENC Legislative Memo
Jan 14, 2011
Rolled back government discretionary spending in Education to Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 levels
Take a look at a 2011 calendar. As in any year, there are 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days. This year in Washington, DC, with elections looming in 2012, the year 2011 is much shorter on Capitol Hill. Many Congressional insiders believe that legislators will handle little of substance after late summer, as 2012 nears. In fact, the 2012 fiscal year begins on October 1.
Now that Republicans control the House of Representatives and hold more seats in the Senate, much of the early goal-setting seems to be focused on repealing, or beginning to dismantle the health care reform bill. Some newly minted members of Congress have also called for rolled back government discretionary spending, including education funding, to Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 levels.
Where does that leave education and, in particular, arts education funding in FY'11? "Pretty low in the pecking order" says Mike Blakeslee, MENC Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Executive Director.
With the 112th Congress in place, members of the Committee for Education Funding (CEF), which includes MENC, met January 5 to assess potential scenarios for the weeks ahead.
According to CEF, a rollback would mean a cut of about 13.6%, or $63 billion for all discretionary spending. That would translate into $9.42 billion in funding cuts to education programs like:
- Title 1
- Pell Grants
- Federal Work Study Programs
- 21st Century Community Learning Centers
- Improving Teacher Quality State Grants
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
CEF's goal is "combining resources to effectively advocate for an increased federal commitment to education from early education to higher education."
Nancy Townes, MENC's new Director of Government Relations & Advocacy Communications, attended the meeting. She said there was some discussion suggesting that the biggest education issue, reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), could still potentially attract support because it is seen as a bipartisan issue.
MENC's position is to advocate for music education on numerous fronts, including with other music and arts groups, with other education groups, and with education funding organizations.
Speakers at the early January CEF meeting included policy advisors as well as Congressional staffers.
One Hill staffer at the meeting offered some advice that music education advocates might find useful: No matter the level of government, meetings with elected officials or their staff members should be brief.
Personal stories about teachers' accomplishments and those of their students are far more effective than long speeches about statistics and dollar amounts. The staffer encouraged advocates to use their time to express the positive aspects of supporting education programs.
Equally important, however, is leaving behind a one-page summary of music educator concerns, or "Asks." An Ask is a request for Congressional appropriations, for specific bill language, or for support made by an individual or an organization for a member of Congress.
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For today's students to succeed tomorrow, they need a comprehensive education that includes music taught by exemplary music educators.
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