Jessica Kabat

EDUW 695
Ethics and Issues in Education
Issue Assignment
Should music programs be included in schools?
What
Is your issue?
This issue involves policy makers, students, parents, administration and
Who music educators.
Does your issue
involve?
 Decreasing budgets for education means the arts programs are
How the first to go
Is this issue impacting  Music isn’t considered a core subject (wasted educational
education today? minutes or a distraction from core subjects)
 Our education system’s focus is test and score driven, leaving the
arts (creativity) out of students’ learning experiences
 Music programs can be expensive (instruments, uniforms,
Why transportation, etc.)
Is this issue  Our schools value math/science/language arts due to extensive
controversial? testing and prep for college
 Music programs are failing – effective and experienced educators
are hard to find and retain.
 Music provides students a creative outlet, a sense of belonging
and a lifelong, positive outlet that can be enjoyed in a variety of
ways and at different levels. **good for your mental health**
 Through music, students learn ‘soft skills’ that will help them be
successful throughout all areas of their lives. (ex. Self-discipline,
adaptability, perseverance, teamwork, confidence, open to
criticism, etc.)
 Music brings people together and is a major influence throughout
human history.
 Music helps to keep students in school.

National Association for Music Education (NAfME):

“The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) advocates at the federal, state, and local levels
to educate elected officials and other key decision makers about the impact and importance of music
education programs. Representing music educators, students, and advocates, NAfME is dedicated to
ensuring the access, presence, and perseverance of quality music programs operated by certified music
educators, for all students across the nation, regardless of circumstance. Through active advocacy and
collaboration, we are changing the national conversation about music’s role in delivering an outstanding
well-rounded education to all students.”

https://www.merriammusic.com/images-2/music-teachers/why-music-is-cut-from-schools/
https://nafme.org/advocacy/
http://www.musicthinktank.com/blog/8-soft-skills-musicians-have-that-employers-want.html
https://nafme.org/20-important-benefits-of-music-in-our-schools/