This resolution supports the inclusion of standards-based music education in the required curriculum of D.C. elementary schools. It was passed by the members of the D.C. Congress of Parents and Teachers Associations (DCPTA) at their annual convention in May 2000 in collaboration with CHIME (Community Help In Music Education). We invite you to submit it to the Board and membership of your organization for endorsement.

Please join our coalition whose immediate goal is to get commitment from the Superintendent of DC Public Schools and relevant public officials to implement the music standards adopted for DCPS by including music instruction in the required curriculum for all elementary school children. Many of these officials have give verbal support for this goal; we would like them to follow up with the plans to realize it. This is just a first step in the long-run goal of including other arts, as well as music, in the curriculum at all grade levels.

Because of growing public realization of the value of the arts in education, we believe that NOW is time for the arts community, parents, and other concerned constituencies to insist on our shared belief that the arts should be restored to a core role in the education of every child. Indeed, the majority of adults erroneously believe that music and other arts are still part of the elementary school curriculum, as they were in their own school-days. We support an initial emphasis on music education in the primary grades because of the importance of beginning training early for those with professional aspirations and because of the beneficial impact early music training has been shown to have on intellectual, social, and character development and academic performance.

Without exposure to our musical heritages in school, where will future patrons of performing and composing musicians come from? Already classical music and jazz are being cut from our radio stations, new CD production is falling, and audiences for serious music are graying and dwindling. Many music organizations have, or wish to have, outreach programs into the public schools, but unless there is a curriculum to relate to and reinforce, isolated presentations are not likely to have lasting impact.

Cultural tourism will surely play an increasingly important role in the economic development of our city. This means there will be many new desirable employment opportunities that are arts-related. Our public school children should be able to develop their capacities for expressive creativity into rewarding occupations and sources of life-long enjoyment.