1.
Identify the problem (issue) in your community or
school. What is the education equity, issue, barrier, or
problem to be solved?
2. Understand the issue. What relevant information have you
learned about this issue from your research and talking with
other parents, students, and school leaders? How does this
relate to cognitive, physical, and social emotional
development of an adolescent?
3. Identify the source(s) of the problem. What is the root
cause of the problem? What major factors contribute to this
issue? What resources must be increase or what barriers can
be removed to ensure a systemic change?
4. Targets
Who makes decisions around this issue? Who will be your
target audience?
5. Set a SMART goal
What specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timed
goal can you put into place to impact or solve the problem?
Music education is in constant threat of losing significant
funding, or being cut from public education entirely. This is
particularly apparent in low income areas.
Music education in Arizona is constantly threatened to
endure budget cuts, or entire program cuts. This is due to
state budget constraints, scheduling trends, and the public’s
general lack of understanding the significance of music
education. Music is a valuable asset to education, as it
teaches students collaboration skills, critical thinking skills,
and problem-solving skills in terms of cognitive abilities.
Music teaches students confidence, communication
proficiency, and healthy risk taking in terms of social skills.
This also relates to emotional development. Increased
confidence in one academic area will increase overall
confidence. Music also provides a healthy tool for
emotional expression. Coordination skills, spatial
awareness, and control of the diaphragm are taught through
music in terms of physical development.
School systems deem art education as less valuable
curriculum. During the fiscal year, impending budget cuts
threaten the continuance of art and music education. One
barrier that can be removed is the idea that education in the
fine arts is not as important as physical education. Funding
for extracurricular sport activities would not suffer the same
budget cuts as the fine arts.
Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal is the
target audience. He is the decision maker concerning the
budget of art education for the state.
Art education requires stable funding within Arizona’s state
education budget for the next fiscal year through the
examination that music education provides benefits and
possess the same education value as sports education.
School boards must adopt a new perspective concerning the
significance of music and art education on the same level of
significance as sports. This can be attained through
providing the same recognition towards students involved
in music and students involved in sports. Schools and
districts in low income areas must begin to advocate for
music education through grant application, foundation
sponsorships, and organization collaborations.
Web Link Provide a detailed description of what you will
find by visiting this website.
1. The NAMM Foundation website provides tools for
https://www.nammfoundat both parents and educators to better understand and
ion.org/ enhance the music education experience.
Testimonies are given of influential and relevant
musicians and the impact music education has
created not only within their career, but within their
character and personal lives. Facts supported by
research is also given in support of music education
within the school system. Quotes of students within
a music education program are also provided,
demonstrating the profound enrichment music has
impacted throughout their development.
There are also resources for visitors of the page to
get involved. Advocacy resources are provided, as
well as monthly newsletters.
2. https://nafme.org/ The National Association for Music Education
website provides research supporting music
education, advocacy tools, music programs, and
classroom tool for educators, and the history of the
organization that includes the mission behind their
support of music education.
3. The Children’s Music Workshop is an Emmy
http://www.childrensmusic winning music education company. This company
workshop.com/advocacy/ specializes in custom designed band and orchestra
method books, alongside providing access to
professional music instructors. The website also
provides advocacy resources to be utilized by
parents, educators, and the community.
How is this website resourceful for teachers
and parents?
The NAMM Foundation website provides tool
to both parents and teachers on the importance
of music education in our school systems.
Parents are provided with the benefits of
learning to play an instrument that extend
beyond the obvious skills acquired in music
class (improves recall and retention, advances
mathematical skills, boosts reading and ELA
development). Parents are also provided with
resources that include recreational music
playing, community building through music
stores, and music sponsors for players with
disabilities.
Teachers are provided multiple tips for success
to enhance their student’s music education
experience, including tips and books for
orchestra, band, and choir performances.
This website is a great tool for both parents and
educators. Tools for each are provided, and it is
valuable for parents to access what information
teachers are provided in addition to teachers
having access to what information parents
receive. Both groups can appreciate the
importance of music education from both
perspectives by utilizing tools under both
listings. There is a connection made when tools
are provided to both parents and teachers, as
each are then able to collaborate in their
advocacy for music education.
This website, specifically the advocacy section,
is extremely useful for parents, educators, and
community awareness.
Multiple links are provided, some of the
parent centered information includes:
Jamming with your Toddler
When to Start Playing
Music Across the Lifespan
Top Ten Advocacy Points for Parents
Why Students Really Quit their Instrument, and
how Parents can Prevent it
Creating a Musical Home Environment
Top Ten Reasons to let your Kid Major in
Music

Educator centered information includes:

Can Music make you Smarter
How Music Alters the Teenage Brain
Music Education aids in Brain Development
Music Lessons and Emotional Growth
Rhythm in the Brain
Playing Music Tunes the Brain
Music and Thinking
Music, Creativity, and Work

Community centered information includes:

Value of Music
Music’s Impact
Band Triumphs over Bureaucracy
Why Should Schools have Music
Scientific Reasons to Teach Kids Music
Academics and Music

4. Americans for the Arts is the nation’s leading
https://www.americansfort nonprofit organization advocating for the
hearts.org/advocate advancement of the arts in America. Their
advocacy aims at benefiting not only music
educators, but also parents, art professionals, policy
makers, and civic leaders.
This website provides visitors with information
concerning the status of art programs in both
educational curriculum and the professional world.
Annual reports, strategic plans, and artist
committees can all be accessed through the site. In
addition to this information, the status of art is also
documented through various news articles and
columns. Congress agendas concerning the arts are
also posted on this site. Visitors can then sign
petitions in advocacy of art sustainability through
this site.
5. This webpage provides visitors with the benefits
http://www.musicforall.org music education promotes in all areas of
/who-we-are/advocacy educational pursuits. Music education aides in the
development of multiple cognitive skills, including:
cognition and achievement, higher GPA, higher
attendance, higher graduation rates, and inclusive
collaboration.
6. This website is a parent’s guide to music education.
http://www.musicparentsg There are multiple tools that can be accessed
uide.com/ through this site, including: advocacy for music
education, the benefits of music education for the
student, tools and tips to increase student
practicing, and tools for parents to enhance their
child’s music education experience.
The multiple links provided can therefore
segue into further research and advocacy
support towards music education.
This website is an excellent tool in igniting the
advocacy movement towards securing art
education a solid spot in curriculum. This site
does more than provide reasoning’s to support
art and artistic endeavors. This site provides the
legislative perspective of the arts. If this
perspective appears to be negative, the
Americans for the Arts organization will create
and publish a petition that can be access
through this site. This website provides
potential advocates the resources to not only
research benefits of the arts, but to become
directly involved with art advocacy.
This website is highly valuable to both
educators and parents, as direct student
testimonials are included in the advocacy
section of the site. The value students place on
their experience in music education is
accentuated.
This website is a great tool for parents, as it
provides tools for them to incorporate into their
child’s music education. Parents will feel more
inclined to advocate for programs if they are
informed and included alongside their child.
This website also dissects the importance of
music education without the abundance of
information a research article would include,
overwhelming a parent.
Mr. John Huppenthal,
As Superintendent of Public Instruction in Arizona, I am writing to you to express my concerns
of the state of music education in low income school districts. My name is Melody Estorga, and I am a
seventh-grade history teacher at a title one school. The state of our music program here at Royal Palm
Middle School is deteriorating to the detriment of our or students. I have been a strong supporter and
consistent advocate for music education, and assistance from state representatives such as yourself, I
believe music education can be revived in low income areas.
My freshman year of high school was the first time I picked up a tenor saxophone. I joined band in hopes
of making friends, as I was attending a school outside of my home district. I did gain many friendships
through music during my participation in the high school band. In addition to this accomplishment, I also
gained much more than friendship. Through music, I gained a sense of belonging. Throughout my
awkward and dramatic time spent in high school, music served as both an escape and a sense of
expression. I was allowed to escape the academic pressure, social stress, and inner turmoil by picking up a
saxophone. I was allowed to express myself through sounds, rhythms, and articulations that were not as
accessible to me through words. Music became my language.
Music has the potential to move people in multiple ways. My testimony can serve as the testimony of
thousands of music enthusiasts, as music connects people. Students may not be aware of this concept,
however, many of them have already experienced this. The connection to their headphones streaming
their favorite artist provides a similar connection that physical instruments create. If students are given
equitable opportunities to create music, to create this connection, the perspectives and perception of music
education will positively be affected. A deeper understanding and appreciation for the arts will be
established.
School systems deem art education as less valuable curriculum. During the fiscal year, impending budget
cuts threaten the continuance of art and music education. One barrier that can be removed is the idea that
education in the fine arts is not as important as physical education. Funding for extracurricular sport
activities would not suffer the same budget cuts as the fine arts.
Music education in Arizona is constantly threatened to endure budget cuts, or entire program cuts. This is
particularly true of low-income areas. These cuts are due to state budget constraints, scheduling trends,
and the public’s general lack of understanding the significance of music education. Music is a valuable
asset to education, as it teaches students collaboration skills, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving
skills in terms of cognitive abilities. Music teaches students confidence, communication proficiency, and
healthy risk taking in terms of social skills. This also relates to emotional development. Increased
confidence in one academic area will increase overall confidence. Music also provides a healthy tool for
emotional expression. Coordination skills, spatial awareness, and control of the diaphragm are taught
through music in terms of physical development.
Music education requires stable funding within Arizona’s state education budget for the next fiscal year
through the examination that music education provides benefits and possess the same education value as
sports education. School boards must adopt a new perspective concerning the significance of music and
art education on the same level of significance as sports. This can be attained through providing the same
recognition towards students involved in music and students involved in sports. Schools and districts in
low income areas must begin to advocate for music education through grant application, foundation
sponsorships, and organization collaborations. Many organizations supporting music advocacy are
supplying music programs with equipment. This is possible through sponsorship or grant application.
Many organizations are also eager to collaborate with school music programs. While grants and
sponsorships provide students with an increased access to music education, the funds provided are futile.
In order to allow all students in low income areas equitable access to music education, legislative
involvement is required. It is evident that all students be supplied with equal opportunities to succeed. I
humbly ask for your assistance in reviving music education in low income areas. Access to music
education does not have to be labeled a luxury elective for the elite institutes of education.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Melody Estorga