Talking Points

General Assembly contact info 


Checklist for communication
with policy makers

This is your opportunity to inform Congress about No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and the importance of the arts in every child's education. Your action today will help to ensure the place of the arts in your schools tomorrow.

Share this message with your parents and community supporters. Encourage them to submit their own letters about the importance of arts education in NCLB and every child's education.

To submit comments to the Commission for NCLB, click on this link: http://community.learnnc.org/dpi/music/, which will give you all you need - talking points, a sample letter (which can be adapted) and access to the web portal for the Commission - it only takes a few minutes to let your voice be heard!!!

Click here for a Checklist for Effective Communication With Policymakers in .pdf format

• Impact the perception of the importance of music education in the total school curriculum as an enhancer of both music learning and learning in general.
• Foster collaboration among schools, artists, arts agencies, parents, individuals, corporate endorsers, and the community.
• Monitor and affect decision making as it relates to music and arts education.
• Provide leadership to ensure excellence in local music and arts education programs.

ADVOCACY OBJECTIVES

PREPARATION
» Collect and disseminate literature related to applicable music education
theory and practice.
» Encourage the use of advocacy materials and effective practices.
» Train music educators in the application and use of appropriate
research-based literature.
» Facilitate the implementation of the music component of the North
Carolina Standard Course of Study and the National Music Standards.

COMMUNICATION
» Establish a communication system within the North Carolina Coalition for
Music Education.
» Utilize and support volunteers as they contact schools and legislative
officials regarding issues in music education.
» Involve District Presidents in disseminating information to members and
other agencies.
» Identify and form a network of informed individuals in local units and
schools, who understand the role and importance of music education in the
life of the individual, who can articulate the need for its inclusion in
the school curriculum, and who would present programs using materials
developed by MENC and other music advocates (e.g., speakers bureau).
» Cooperate with national and statewide advocacy efforts by collaborating
with the National Coalition, NC Department of Public Instruction, the music
industry, and other advocacy organizations.

PRINT
» Write articles for school and parent newsletters.
» Call a newspaper photographer, editor, or reporter for “Good News”
reports.
» Write and send out a news release.
» Write a “Letter to the Editor” in support of music education.
» Publicize Music In Our Schools Month activities at all instructional levels.
» Prepare a fact sheet about music education.
» Write letters of appreciation to media, community, and political leaders
for their efforts in advancing the arts.

PRESENT
» Offer a presentation about music education to a service club or community
group.
» Make a presentation to the school board.
» Prepare an audiovisual on music education.
» Present an in-service about the music program to teachers at a faculty
meeting.

PROMOTE
» Discuss the school music program with community leaders, civic groups,
school board members, parents, and other stakeholders.
» Send letters with complimentary tickets to school board members, central
office personnel, school administrators, civic group representatives, and
community leaders.
» Involve other subject areas in a cooperative project.
» Serve on a district office committee or a school site-base team.
» Inform administrators of community and state musical activities.
» Work with a citizen support group for music education.
» Survey community attitudes about music education.
Take action! Contact your state coalition for more ideas.