It Can Be Done!

IMPACTING STATE LAW AND RULE TO PROTECT ARTS EDUCATION

TMEA MISSION STATEMENT

To provide quality experiences in music for the students in the public and private schools of Texas

MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

• Objective 4 of the Texas Education Code (TEC) states: A well-balanced and appropriate curriculum will be provided to all students. Chapter 28 of the TEC states, “Each district shall ensure that all children in the district participate actively in a balanced curriculum designed to meet individual needs.”

Legislation is decided by those who show up

The Role of Creativity in 21st Century Workforce Preparation

(2009 Texas Senate/House Briefing, Dan Pink, key speaker)

STATUTES AND RULES

• 31 Senators and 150 Representatives write the laws that govern education (Texas Education Code) - TEC

• State Board of Education (elected body of 15 members) writes rules school districts follow to carry out the law (Texas Administrative Code) – TAC

• Commissioner of Education (appointed by the Governor) also writes rules to implement certain policy as defined by the TEC

WHAT THE LAW SAYS IN TEXAS

• Fine Arts is a part of the Required Curriculum which all school districts must offer

• All fine arts instruction must be standards-based – SB815• One credit of fine arts is required for graduation in all three graduation

plans• Music, art and theatre must be taught in grades K-5 – TEKS-based • For the first time there is a middle school fine arts course requirement

– TEKS-based• Fine arts is now a part of the state accountability system to be

implemented in 2013-2014 school year

UNDERSTAND THE TOTAL PROCESS OF ESTABLISHING EDUCATIONAL POLICY• Know what is in law • In Texas the legislature writes the laws that govern education;

the State Board of Education writes the rules school districts follow to carry out the law

• Know when to fall on your sword on an issue and when to accept status quo

• Utilize the whole system to get what you want – Will a state board rule accomplish your purpose rather than trying to change law? What about Commissioner’s Rules?

2013 TMEA LEGISLATIVE AGENDA• Expand membership in Fine Arts Caucus• Protect current requirements• Move Fine Arts to Foundation Courses or…• Tear down artificial bifurcation of “Required” Curriculum in “Foundation

and Enrichment”• File “TAKS Pullout” bill again?• Build relationships with new members and committee chair(s)• Change “Fine Arts” to Performing and Visual Arts

IMPORTANCE OF STRATEGY

• Keys to “interim” strategy:• Relationship development with legislators• Developing the TMEA legislative agenda• Honing and crystallizing the FA message• Creating opportunities to voice that message• Coordinating your progress with TMEA

BEFORE YOU EVEN GO THERE….

• Be aware of what you are saying and to whom you are saying it

• Importance of the Message• Being “right” is only the beginning• Setting determines style• Delivery style is critical

• Fine Arts Educators ought to be the best at this!

“EDUCATION” AS PUBLIC POLICY

• Education is just one piece of the legislative pie• What Education means to Legislators• In General: The Myriad Voices• Specifics: Pending Legal Action

Budget

HINTS FOR SUCCESS• Select supportive bill sponsors and start early• Be patient and persistent – it quite often takes more

than one session• Identify your allies early on• Know the key players and focus your lobbying efforts

on them initially• Respect the power of the chairs

AND ADDITIONAL HINTS• Understand the most effective means of sharing public

sentiment—letters, phone calls, personal contact• Stay informed through legislative newsletters – Quorum

Report• Work to get the media on your side – utilize op eds• Know your audience

DON’T FORGET!• Legislators work for YOU• 99 percent of the time they REALLY do want to help

and understand the issue • Their time is short and they deal with a myriad of

issues, so don’t overwhelm them.

NETWORKING WITH OTHER EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS• TASA, TASB, PTA and teacher associations – get them on your

side• Most educational groups believe in educating the whole child• Get other organizations to make it a priority on their agenda• Get them to support your bill by submitting a card of support at

the hearing• If won’t support, try to get them to stay silent on the bill or issue

NETWORKING WITH OTHER ARTS ORGANIZATIONS• Texas Coalition for Quality Arts Education• Texas Cultural Trust• Other state music organizations – TBA, TCDA, TODA• Why arts coalitions sometimes fail—political in-fighting

and disagreement on philosophy

EFFECTIVE TESTIMONY• “Legislation is decided by those who show up” - Joe Gagen• Be brief but clear• Try not to read• Limit the number of people who say the same thing• Understand the power of the chair• Try to anticipate questions, but do not be afraid to say “I do not

know but will get back to you”• Provide written copy• Tell a story

IS ANYBODY LISTENING?• Dan Pink message—clear and succinct• Establishing a connection with your audience will allow you to

communicate successfully with them• Focus on similarities and mutual goals• Advocate for the arts rather than against something else• Do your best to determine what is most important to your

audience• Must work from a platform of a high standard of excellence

LOCAL ADVOCACY• Perhaps the most important component of fine arts survival• Provide materials—printed and/or on website• Inspire and train your members and parents on how to be

effective lobbyists• Organize presidents of arts booster organizations in your district

(COPS)• Sell your programs on their curricular nature – not the

extracurricular components or activities• New from TMEA – Distinguished Administrator Award

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING NOW?• It is not too early to educate your members on

candidates• Invite candidates to your school so they can recall

“why” when a vote comes up• Attend coffees; host forums• Survey the candidates prior to the November election

and distribute the results• They need you now—not after November 6

ROLE OF A GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS CONSULTANT• May open doors you cannot• Hired primarily for information and advice – not to do all

the work• Helps you understand the process• If possible, find a lobbyist who is passionate about the

arts• Fees may be lower if they believe in your cause• Gives contributions to candidates

BENHAM STRATEGIC ERRORS• Limiting your support to a singular curricular course, school, or

year.• Limiting your support organization to fundraising activities• Limiting your advocacy activities to music teachers or control by

music teachers• Limiting your advocacy efforts to reactive strategies• Procrastination• Suggesting alternative cuts or compromise• Becoming involved in a battle of music versus athletics• Resorting to personal attacks

COMMUNICATING WITH ADMINISTRATORS• Be professional • Be passionate but aware of the big picture• Have suggestions for solutions• Be patient and understanding• Be flexible• Be supportive of other activities as well as the overall academic

program• No surprises

WHAT IF I HAVE NO BUDGET?• Seek a volunteer—a retired teacher• Subscribe to newsletters• Monitor your state’s legislative website• Rely on business and arts contacts to assist you• Identify members who have personal contacts with legislators• Align with other associations with whom you can partner that are

most similar to you - TASA, TASB, Raise Your Hand Texas, Friends of Texas Public Schools, principal associations, Texas Cultural Trust, PTA, etc.

• Get involved in the political/election process

WHAT CAN YOU DO TODAY?• Meet and get to know your legislator

• Please report in if you already have/do!

• Visit your legislator’s district/capitol office

• Staff is key – get a business card

• Invite your legislator to visit your campus/performances

• Take the time to issue a press release on your FA accomplishments - weekly papers are key

• Identify Advocates

DOES ANYONE CARE?• Your legislator wants to know what is going on his/her district• Your legislator cares about your opinion and issues• Your legislator wants to hear from you• Make a positive and clear argument on behalf of fine arts

education• Always follow up with your legislator/staff• Always report back to TMEA about your success and activities

IDENTIFYING ADVOCATES• Inspire and train your parents on how to be effective lobbyists• Booster organizations - COPS• Understand the most effective means of sharing public sentiment – email, letter, phone

calls, personal contact• Expose legislators to music programs in local districts• Involve the business and arts communities who may also provide lobbying assistance• GoArts.org – an electronic petition gathering tool building support for fine arts• Stay informed through legislative newsletters• Work to get the media on your side• Know your audience• New from TMEA – Distinguished Administrator Award

FINAL THOUGHTS• Reminder – TMEA does not endorse political candidates• It’s all about relationships• Monitor legislative/candidate websites• Identify allies who have personal contacts with legislators and

candidates• Make political donations if appropriate

Get involved!! One phone call or appearance at a campaign event can put fine arts on your legislator’s radar

CODA• It’s all about relationships, and there is no more effective

relationship than one with a constituent.• TMEA does not endorse political candidates nor does it have a

political action committee• Decide what you want and get started now• If your program is not supported in state law and rule you have

nothing to stand upon• You CAN do it—think positively!

Robert FloydExecutive Director, TMEA

Chair, Texas Coalition for Quality Arts Education

rfloyd@tmea.org512 452-0710, ext 101

www.tmea.orgwww.tmea.org/midwest2011