1. BE PROACTIVE
Develop a Local Advocacy Action Plan. Create impact statements and understand the curricular elements of your program. Good personal relationships with parents and community leaders are the best and first line in your advocates plan. Find a parent or community volunteer to develop a database and an online presence (website, facebook) for your music program. Collect contact information using a petition for parents, teachers, administrators, community members, and legislative supporters.
2. PUBLICIZE YOUR PROGRAM & THE BENEFITS OF MUSIC EDUCATION
Create and share press releases highlighting student or program successes through social media and local media outlets, and request coverage of school music events, exemplary music students, and unique student experiences. Have a core group of students ready to perform for community events, and let people know how many students benefit from your school district music programs. Share research, statistics, and quotations and have talking points ready about how music education improves graduation rates and contributes to the health and well being of people and society. Make a video to promote music education to play before and after public performances. Create an annual report for distribution.
3. BUILD COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS
Personally invite legislators and community leaders as well as school board members and school administrators to attend school concerts. Ask them to serve as the announcer for your performance, or recognize them in the audience. Attend and have students perform or speak at school board, PTA, town council, and civic organizations meetings. Have an advocacy segment at booster meetings and concerts. Provide updates about your program to be included in PTA or community newsletters.
4. KNOW YOUR STANDARDS & THINK LIKE AN ADMINISTRATOR
Educational decision makers understand Standards Alignment, so find ways your program aligns with the National Core Music Standards and the Social-Emotional Learning Competencies. Find solutions for any components missing from the NAfME Opportunity to Learn Standards and the Oregon Music Program Standards. Be ready with solutions, tackle one issue at a time, and cite how your program can help support School Improvement Plans, school culture goals, school board goals, SEL curriculums, or the District Mission and Vision. Learn about the different ways school systems function and understand common educational terms. Money is actually saved by making in-school music programs stronger – it costs more in the long run to make cuts.
5. DEFINE YOUR ASK
“Support Music Education” is too broad — have a defined “ask” that can be supported by data, standards-alignment, and student/community testimonials. If possible, come with a solution already created. Be ready to align your needs around parity with other subjects (math, PE, World Languages, Career & Technical Education).
6. RECOGNIZE & THANK SUPPORTERS
Tell funders, parents, hard-working teachers, alumni, music retailers, and anyone else who helps preserve music education in your community that you appreciate their support as loudly and publicly as possible.
OMEA endorses Dr. John L. Benham’s book MUSIC ADVOCACY: Moving from Survival to Vision