This article provides the author's thoughts concerning nine major events, reports, and pieces of legislation that have shaped American education over the past 65 years. It also lists several lessons he has learned from these efforts. In addition, a number of proposals are offered for achieving genuine reform in education, and for strengthening the…

On December 10, 2015, President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (P.L. 114-95), legislation which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and replaces the widely criticized No Child Left Behind Act. After various versions were offered, rejected, or revised, the ESSA ultimately passed both chambers of…

Changes in education policy--particularly at the federal and state levels--during the current era of ideologically and profit-driven "education reform" threaten balanced education in general and music/arts education in particular. Emerging answers to a number of pivotal questions will determine the future of the arts, arts education, and…

A nationwide sample of undergraduate music education majors (N = 260; 69% completion rate) completed an electronic survey to determine awareness of music and general education policy and advocacy efforts. Students reported concern with the impact of policy on school music programs and their future careers. They were informed about music education…

A project to institute a quality program of music and art education in the public elementary schools of six schools systems in Dodge County, Georgia is evaluated for the school year 1968-69. Each of the project's 15 objectives are stated and then are followed by a discussion of how well and to what degree the objective was realized during the…

This booklet contains statements of the members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions regarding financial support for arts education in magnet schools. The booklet identifies the committee members and staff members and then details the opening statements of Senator James M. Jeffords (Vermont), the Committee…

Stresses the need to view the arts and art education as an essential element in the complete education of children, and not as some type of superfluous activity. Notes that the visual and performing arts are important components of the Goals 2000 reform program and the proposed reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. (MDM)