From the MMEA Government Relations & Advocacy Committee
Michigan Education Budget Supports New Music Education Programming
MMEA is thrilled to announce that the state’s education budget for this fiscal year contains a specific line item for districts to use in hiring music educators.
As you may know, Michigan's $24.3 billion school budget for 2023-2024 funds public K-12 schools, community colleges and universities. Senators Geiss and Camilleri championed the cause so that K-5 schools without certified music teachers would be able to use state funds—$11 million in one-time appropriations--to improve their music programming through new positions.
See the relevant section of the budget bill below, and please spread the word so that districts are aware of this important opportunity:
Sec. 33. (1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $11,000,000.00 for 2023-2024 only for grants to eligible districts for the purposes described in this section.
(2) To receive a grant under this section, a district must apply for the grant in a form and manner prescribed by the department.
(3) A district that meets both of the following is an eligible district under this section:
(a) The district must enroll students in grades K to 5, and must not currently have a music education program for grades K to 5.
(b) The district must, in its application described in subsection (2), pledge to do all of the following:
(i) Provide for all pupils in grades K to 5 at least 90 minutes per week of instruction in music, taught by a certificated teacher with a JX or JQ endorsement issued by the department.
(ii) Maintain staffing that includes at least 1 certificated teacher with a JX or JQ endorsement issued by the department for every 400 pupils enrolled in grades K to 5.
(iii) Adopt and implement specific curricula for music.
(iv) Maintain in each elementary school at least 1 space that is designated for music instruction and that allows for effective implementation of the music curriculum, with consideration given to the physical materials and tools needed for music instruction.
(v) Establish and maintain a separate dedicated budget for music instruction in grades K to 5.
(4) Grants awarded under this section must be awarded for the coverage of costs for 1 year of additional costs, including 1-time costs, for the district to implement a music program.
(5) All grants under this section must be awarded by not later than February 1, 2024.
(6) If the total funding allocated under this section is not sufficient to fully fund payments to all eligible districts under this section, the department shall prorate payments to all eligible districts on an equal percentage basis.
(7) Notwithstanding section 17b, the department shall make payments under this section on a schedule determined by the department.
Michigan Education Budget Supports New Music Education Programming
MMEA is thrilled to announce that the state’s education budget for this fiscal year contains a specific line item for districts to use in hiring music educators.
As you may know, Michigan's $24.3 billion school budget for 2023-2024 funds public K-12 schools, community colleges and universities. Senators Geiss and Camilleri championed the cause so that K-5 schools without certified music teachers would be able to use state funds—$11 million in one-time appropriations--to improve their music programming through new positions.
See the relevant section of the budget bill below, and please spread the word so that districts are aware of this important opportunity:
Sec. 33. (1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $11,000,000.00 for 2023-2024 only for grants to eligible districts for the purposes described in this section.
(2) To receive a grant under this section, a district must apply for the grant in a form and manner prescribed by the department.
(3) A district that meets both of the following is an eligible district under this section:
(a) The district must enroll students in grades K to 5, and must not currently have a music education program for grades K to 5.
(b) The district must, in its application described in subsection (2), pledge to do all of the following:
(i) Provide for all pupils in grades K to 5 at least 90 minutes per week of instruction in music, taught by a certificated teacher with a JX or JQ endorsement issued by the department.
(ii) Maintain staffing that includes at least 1 certificated teacher with a JX or JQ endorsement issued by the department for every 400 pupils enrolled in grades K to 5.
(iii) Adopt and implement specific curricula for music.
(iv) Maintain in each elementary school at least 1 space that is designated for music instruction and that allows for effective implementation of the music curriculum, with consideration given to the physical materials and tools needed for music instruction.
(v) Establish and maintain a separate dedicated budget for music instruction in grades K to 5.
(4) Grants awarded under this section must be awarded for the coverage of costs for 1 year of additional costs, including 1-time costs, for the district to implement a music program.
(5) All grants under this section must be awarded by not later than February 1, 2024.
(6) If the total funding allocated under this section is not sufficient to fully fund payments to all eligible districts under this section, the department shall prorate payments to all eligible districts on an equal percentage basis.
(7) Notwithstanding section 17b, the department shall make payments under this section on a schedule determined by the department.