|
For the second consecutive year, Pasadena ISD’s
music programs were named among the nation’s best in the NAMM
Foundation’s “Best Communities for Music Education” survey.
“We are absolutely thrilled with this news,” said
Linda Fletcher, Pasadena ISD’s director of fine arts. “It is wonderful
to see the hard work of our students and teachers recognized. This honor
is a true reflection of their dedication and work.”
The survey included 110 school districts across the
United States. The designated programs exemplify community commitment to
include music education as part of a quality education for all children.
The NAMM Foundation and its music education advocacy efforts work to
ensure that all children have access to quality music education programs
that encourage lifelong participation in music making.
This year’s roster of musical schools represents 29 states with New
York, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia representing
the most districts.
Hundreds of teachers, school and district administrators, school board
members, parents and community leaders, representing communities in all
50 states, participated in the Web-based survey. The districts were
measured across a variety of program support, curricular and
programmatic criteria. Furthermore, the results were measured
proportionally, so that communities of different sizes were compared
equally.
Participants in the survey answered detailed questions about funding,
enrollment, student/teacher ratios, music class participation,
instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, private
music lesson participation, and other relevant factors in their
communities’ music education programs. The responses were verified with
district officials, and the sponsoring organizations reviewed the data.
“We commend these school districts for their commitment to assuring that
music is part of a complete education for children,” said Mary Luehrsen,
executive director, NAMM Foundation. “It takes the commitment of an
entire community to assure that music is part of the core curriculum.
Children engaged in music will be the innovation leaders of tomorrow,
and there is no better way to build life-long participation in music
than with a solid base of music education.”
Luehrsen also noted that throughout the survey’s eight years several
districts have reported that making the “Best Communities” list has had
a tangible effect on their ability to preserve music for their students.
This year, recipients cited increased enrollment in music programs and
more support from parents and community members as they realize the
physical, mental and emotional value music education brings to students.
The NAMM Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to
advancing active participation in music making across the lifespan by
supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service
programs from the international music products industry. For more
information, visit
www.nammfoundation.org. |