The Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) has been named one of America’s Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation. This is the second time IUSD has received this recognition.
The NAMM Foundation is a non-profit organization that strives to advance participation in music making in all age groups.Fifteen years ago, it started the Best Communities for Music Education Program to recognize communities with outstanding music opportunities for students. School districts are evaluated based on the annual NAMM Foundation survey. They were asked specifically about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and opportunities to make music in the community. This year, over 2000 schools and districts participated with 376 school districts receiving the honor of being one of the Best Communities for Music Education.
“This recognition is further evidence of our district’s commitment to the arts, which has endured despite inadequate funding at the state level,” said Sharon Wallin, president of IUSD’s Board of Education, to IUSD Newsflash.
Mr. Justin Olvey (Visual and Performing Arts Dept.) said, “This comes as no surprise to the teachers. We all know Irvine is an amazing community that is extremely supportive of music education.”
To see the full list of recognized school districts, click the link below.
http://www.nammfoundation.org/research/best-communities-music-education-2014
Written by BIYONKA LIANG
Staff Writer