Radio Smart Talk: How essential is music education?

Radio Smart Talk for Monday, March 11:

March is Music in Our Schools Month — an event designed to focus attention on the need for and benefits of quality music education programs.

Music and arts education programs have been downsized or eliminated in some public schools due to budget constraints.

The Pennsylvania Music Educators Association says that there are 200 fewer music teachers across the state than there were in 2010. PMEA points out some schools have eliminated musical instrument instruction in elementary schools as part of the cutbacks.

PMEA is lobbying for the arts to be included with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math as core subjects. Students would have to earn at least one credit in the arts in order to graduate.

PMEA representatives will appear on Monday’s program to make their case.

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