June 28, 2006

California State Budget funds arts education!

In an historic moment for arts education, next year’s California budget contains $105 million in on-going funding for arts and music education and $500 million in a one-time block grant for arts/music/physical education equipment and supplies.

This on-going funding can be used for hiring additional staff, purchasing materials, books, supplies and equipment, and staff development.

Thank you to PTA members throughout California for YOUR efforts to bring the arts back into our schools and back into the lives of our children.

Through emails, phone calls, faxes and face-to-face conversations, you let our elected officials know that parents believe every child should have a quality arts education.

Your grass roots advocacy paid off BIG TIME.

Thank you to the Governor for his leadership and to the members of the legislature for making arts education a high priority for the children of the State of California!

This is an historic moment. After decades of cuts in visual and performing arts in schools throughout the State, this is the first big infusion of funding at the state level.

This is a victory for the children of California. Extensive research confirms the arts improve academic and personal success--particularly for our most needy students.

This is an issue of equity for the PTA. We believe all children deserve a quality arts education.

Through the creation of a web site --SMARTS: BRING BACK THE ARTS to highlighting arts education at legislative conferences and state-wide trainings, to joining with other arts advocacy organizations, the PTA has made arts education the centerpiece for educational reform.

The California State PTA wants to create advocates for quality arts education at every school in California.

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