The North Carolina Music Educators Association is asking educators, students, families and community members to document challenges facing school music programs through a new advocacy support form, the organization reported.
Ncmea said the form collects information about funding, access, resources, policy and potential reductions affecting music education across the state. The advocacy team will review submissions and follow up within a few days, according to the organization.
The initiative comes as North Carolina schools face budget pressures that could affect ensembles and classroom music instruction. Ncmea pointed to a podcast episode featuring advocacy committee co-chairs James Daugherty and Jeremy Tucker, who discussed practical ways to protect and strengthen music education.
Topics covered include using data and student stories to make the case for music programs, inviting decision-makers into classrooms, and the importance of winter course registration for sustaining ensemble enrollment. The co-chairs also emphasized building alliances with families, boosters and community partners, Ncmea reported.
The organization said new advocacy resources from Ncmea and the National Association for Music Education are available to support educators. The advocacy committee can be reached directly for assistance, according to the announcement.
For more information, visit ncmea.net.