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C. Massingill

Before you start supporting Governor Huckabee for the highest office, I thought you might like to know the reality of his art and music in elementary education programs. This is the first year of the new legislation in Arkansas that states that every elementary student is required to receive 40 minutes per week of art and music. Which is of course is fantastic and exciting. Although 40 minutes is not enough it is a great start.
However, the Arkansas state legislature "forgot" to actually fund this new mandate so in most districts you have art and music teachers who see upwards of 800 students per week, teach at two or even three schools per week and are provided with a budget of $2 per child for Art AND Music - for the year.
While Governor Huckabee's new art and music programs might sound good, I have trouble seeing how these new programs are going to survive even their first year.

H. Bruner

I can't agree more with you and Governor Huckabee. Being a music educator in Arkansas, I know exactly what he is talking about...“A seat inside the legislature is better than 100 people on the steps.” It is so frustrating to work to improve arts education, only to have legislators that would rather water down requirements for classroom instruction or teacher certification.
It is already bad enough that we have teachers teaching instrumental music classes because their "non-traditional" certification allows them, despite the fact that they have never played in a performing ensemble in their life!

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