Expanding Access to Music Education through Proposition 28 and MusiQuest
As Edify’s Director of Education, I couldn’t be more excited about the transformative impact of Proposition 28. This unprecedented investment—nearly $1 billion annually—marks the largest commitment to arts and music education in California’s history. It means more students will have the opportunity to explore music, art, and creativity in ways they might never have before. namm.org
I began my career as a music educator on the East Coast, where access to public school music programs is often a given. Upon moving to California, I was disheartened to find far fewer opportunities for music educators. Decades of budget cuts, policy shifts, and voter-initiated changes to property tax law (see Proposition 13) led to devastating reductions in arts programs statewide. Between 1999 and 2004 alone, student participation in music courses declined by 46.5%, and the number of music teachers dropped by 26.7%. Over 500,000 California students lost access to music education. americansforthearts.org
In response, I pivoted to general education, later stepping into school administration. No matter my role, I kept music and the arts alive—whether through Friday music gatherings for my kindergarteners, end-of-year concerts, or partnerships with local organizations to bring arts programs and professional development to my schools. It wasn’t the comprehensive music education my students deserved, but it was better than nothing.
Now, with Proposition 28, we have an unprecedented opportunity to rebuild and revitalize California’s arts programs. However, this influx of funding also exposes a major challenge: a shortage of credentialed music teachers needed to deliver a high-quality, standards-based curriculum.
As California works to rebuild its music educator workforce, MusiQuest is committed to bridging the gap. Our mission is to ensure that every child worldwide has access to quality music education. Our affordable music curriculum and composition software expands access, supports educators across all subjects, and inspires the next generation of musicians. While music teachers across the country use MusiQuest to enrich their lessons, they aren’t the only ones who love it. A recent WestEd randomized control trial found that general education teachers could easily implement MusiQuest, leading to statistically significant gains in students’ music knowledge, attitudes toward music, and musical confidence. MusiQuest is the tool I wish I had when I was a teacher!
As we implement Proposition 28, we must also address the challenges that come with it. By investing in teacher training, developing comprehensive curricula, and leveraging innovative tools like MusiQuest, we can ensure this historic investment benefits every student.
Together, we can build a future where arts and music education are not just available, but integral to every child’s learning experience—fostering creativity, collaboration, and a lifelong love of the arts. Discover how you can be a part of this movement.
