Click here to find your U.S. and South Carolina Senate and House legislator contact information.
Understanding Advocacy
What is music education advocacy?
As defined by the National Association for Music Education, advocacy is “the act of speaking or writing in support of something or someone”. Advocacy can take many forms- including contacting elected officials, attending school board meetings, sharing student accomplishments, educating families about music programs, and supporting policies that expand access to high-quality music instruction.
Why should I advocate for music education?
Though every student deserves meaningful opportunities to learn, create, perform, and grow through music, access to music education can vary depending on a student’s school, district, available resources, and community.
Advocacy helps decision-makers understand what students need to succeed and why music education deserves consideration in educational planning, staffing, scheduling, and funding decisions. By sharing experiences, research, and examples from their communities, advocates can help protect existing programs, strengthen music education opportunities, and encourage more equitable access for students throughout South Carolina.
How does advocacy affect music education in South Carolina?
Decisions affecting music education are made at several levels. The South Carolina General Assembly considers state laws and appropriations, the South Carolina Department of Education establishes and supports statewide educational standards and guidance, and local school boards and district leaders make many decisions about budgets, staffing, scheduling, and program implementation.
Effective advocacy means directing concerns and requests to the people with authority to address them. Building relationships with decision-makers throughout the year can help ensure that the needs of music students and educators are represented before important decisions are finalized.
Contacting Elected Officials
What should I say when contacting my legislator?
An effective and concise message generally includes:
- Who you are: Introduce yourself as an educator, parent, student, musician, or community member.
- Why you’re reaching out: Identify the policy, funding decision, or issue affecting music education.
- Why it matters: Share a relevant example from your school or community, supported by reliable information when possible.
- What you’re asking: Request a specific action, such as supporting a proposal, learning more about a concern, or meeting with local music educators.
- How to follow up: Offer additional information and thank the official or staff member for their time.
It cannot be overstated how much your story matters. Even if there’s no knowledge about legislative actions or government practices going into this, you as an individual have insightful experiences that can help advocate on behalf of what you believe in. Personal stories are especially effective when paired with clear information about how a decision could affect students. Don’t be afraid to share your voice- you do not have to know everything to be an effective advocate.
What if my legislator doesn’t know much about music education?
Treat the conversation as an opportunity to build understanding. Elected officials are responsible for considering many issues, and they may not be familiar with the day-to-day realities of music classrooms (especially if they never took band, choir, or orchestra).
Offer a brief explanation of your program, describe the needs of students in your community, and provide relevant research or resources. You can also invite the official to attend a concert, visit a music classroom, or meet with local educators. If you don’t know the answer to a question, it is perfectly appropriate to say that you will follow up with accurate information.
What if my legislator cannot meet with me or doesn’t respond?
Don’t be discouraged. Legislators and their staff members often manage demanding schedules, particularly during the legislative session, but they are still public servants that can and will consider your concerns when addressed. (1)
Send a concise email or letter, follow up politely after a reasonable amount of time, and ask whether a staff member can speak with you. You can also request a future meeting, provide written materials, or invite the official to a school performance or community event.
Consistent, respectful communication helps build relationships over time. Advocacy is most effective when it continues throughout the year rather than occurring only when a program is threatened, or a vote is imminent.
Funding, Policy, and Program Support
How is music education funded in South Carolina?
Public school music programs may be supported through a combination of state and local education funding, district and school budgets, applicable federal funds, grants, and community support.
The specific resources available to a music program depend on the school district, applicable funding requirements, and local budget decisions. There is not one single funding source that covers every school’s music education needs.
Does South Carolina require music education in public schools?
This is a mixed bag. South Carolina requires 24 credits for a student to graduate with a high school diploma, but none of the credits are mandated to be arts-based. If a student plans to attend a four-year public college or university in-state, the state’s Commission on Higher Education requires at least one unit (or credit) of fine arts. Elementary and middle schools in the state are required to offer visual and performing arts instruction, but the amount and consistency varies based on the district and school.
Statewide standards should not be confused with a guarantee that every student receives the same amount of music instruction, has access to every music discipline, or attends a school with identical staffing and resources. Questions about course requirements, instructional time, scheduling, or district implementation should be directed to the South Carolina Department of Education or the relevant school district. (2)
What can I do if my school’s music program faces budget cuts or elimination?
Begin by gathering accurate information about the proposed changes. Determine what is being reduced, why the decision is being considered, when it will take effect, and which students and programs will be affected.
Next, organize a constructive response:
- Document the program’s enrollment, course offerings, instructional resources, student opportunities, and demonstrated needs.
- Speak with your school administrator or district leadership to understand the decision-making process.
- Engage parents, students, alumni, and community members in sharing their experiences and concerns.
- Present a specific request to the appropriate decision-maker, such as reconsidering a proposed reduction, exploring alternative funding, or evaluating the impact on student access.
- Contact SCMEA for advocacy resources and guidance on developing an effective response.
Keep the focus on student learning and equitable access to music education. A well-organized, evidence-informed response is generally more productive than relying on frustration alone.
What can I do if students in my community lack access to music classes or qualified music educators?
Start by identifying the specific barriers students face. These might include a lack of certified music educators, limited course availability, scheduling conflicts, insufficient instruments, transportation challenges, inadequate instructional facilities, or any number of other variables.
Then, using relevant and available information, discuss potential solutions with administrators and district leadership. Depending on the problem, possible requests could include additional staffing, expanded course offerings, improved scheduling, instrument-access initiatives, or resources for underserved schools.
At the state level, advocates can communicate with legislators and relevant education officials about broader barriers affecting music education. Working with SCMEA, families, and community partners can help connect local concerns to wider efforts to improve access across South Carolina.
Taking Action
How can parents, students, and community members support music education?
You do not have to be a music educator to be an effective advocate. Parents, students, alumni, local musicians, arts organizations, and community members can all help strengthen support for music education.
When a music program faces a challenge, community members can share firsthand experiences about what the program means to students and families. Multiple voices communicating a clear, constructive message can help decision-makers understand the importance of preserving and expanding music education opportunities.
How can I advocate for music education without being politically partisan?
Music education advocacy does not require allegiance to a political party. It begins with a commitment to students and their access to meaningful educational opportunities. Focus your communications on specific policies, educational needs, funding decisions, and the impact on students. Use reliable information, treat decision-makers respectfully, and engage with elected officials across party lines.
Educators should also follow their school district’s policies concerning political activity, employee communications, and the use of school resources. Nonpartisan advocacy for an educational issue is distinct from campaigning for or against a political candidate.
How can I track legislation that affects music education?
The South Carolina Legislature Online website provides tools to search legislation, review bill histories, find committee information, and examine legislative voting records. It also publishes state budget documents and information about the legislative process.
To follow a bill, look up its bill number or search for relevant terms, review its status, and identify the committees and legislators involved. Because bills can change as they move through the legislative process, check the latest version and official actions before sharing information with others. (3)
What resources does SCMEA provide for music education advocates?
SCMEA supports music educators and advocates working to strengthen music education throughout South Carolina. The association’s advocacy resources connect members with information, tools, and opportunities to engage in state and national advocacy efforts.
Start with the SCMEA Advocacy page and the Grassroots Advocacy Resources page. These resources include materials on contacting legislators, organizing advocacy efforts, understanding education funding, and communicating the importance of music education.
For questions about South Carolina music education policy or ways to become involved in advocacy initiatives, please reach out to Allie Dombkowski.
Allie Dombkowski
SCMEA, Government Relations Chair
NAfME, Advocacy Leadership Force
Charleston, SC