LETTER FROM FLORA SANCHEZ, president
New Mexico State Board of Education
Subject: Re: Jal Band Controversy... Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2000 11:15:29 EDT From: Fms1sbe@aol.com To: gphil@ix.netcom.com
Hello Jerry,
Nice to hear from you again. I'm very sorry to hear that the Jal board
has determined that music is not important enough to support. There
is much research showing links between music and achievement, especially
in math and science. There are other compelling reasons to maintain
the arts in schools. Have you seen the work of the Search Institute;
they have formulated a list of 40 things that young people need to grow
up healthy, principled, caring etc.--these are called developmental assets.
(see their web site: search-institute.org)
In fact, the state board of educcation will hear a presentation on the
arts in schools at its next meeting. It will be heard in the Instructional
Services Cmte mtg scheduled to begin 4/27 at 11:15 in Los Lunas Fine Arts
Center.
Unfortunately the decision you are questioning is a local decision.
The state board of education has no say in this. Local boards have the
power to decide how to spend their money -- as long as it tracks with their
Educ Plan for Student Success (basically the district's strategic plan).
The district is accountable for results per statewide indicators: achievement,
dropout, attendance (later will add parent involvement and safety--which
are on indicator list but SBE hasn't adopted mechanism for gathering this
data) The district also has to provide instruction to meet states educational
standards, one of which is the arts. You might contact the state dept of
educ to learn specifics on that. Sorry can't be of more help. Good
luck in getting the board to reconsider. I am much in favor of arts programs--was
a music student myself, graduating with distinction in music and getting
full tuition scholarship as result.
Music has not only enriched my life but paid for my undergraduate education.
Flora Sanchez