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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Paul Menard, Assistant Director of Institutional Giving at Education Through Music
5:00:04
ยท
165 sec
Paul Menard from Education Through Music testifies about the urgent need for equitable city funding to support arts education in New York City public schools. He expresses concern over proposed amendments to the foundation aid formula that could reduce funding by $350 million and potentially eliminate essential arts programs.
- Education Through Music partners with 55 schools, supporting 20,000 students weekly across all five boroughs
- 50% of NYC schools lack a full-time certified music teacher, leaving many students without access to music education
- Research shows music and arts education improve student engagement, academic performance, and social-emotional learning
Paul Menard
5:00:04
Good afternoon Chair Joseph, Chair Rivera, and members of the committee.
5:00:09
My name is Paul Menard.
5:00:10
I'm the Assistant Director of Institutional Giving at Education Through Music, and I'm a last minute swap out for Doctor.
5:00:16
Janice Wyman Shorenstein, who is our Chief Executive Officer.
5:00:21
Education Through Music is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing music education to underserved students in Title I schools throughout New York City.
5:00:31
I am here today to emphasize the urgent need for equitable city funding to support arts education in our public schools and to express deep concern over the proposed amendments to the foundation aid formula, which are projected to reduce New York City's public school funding by $350,000,000.
5:00:49
50 2 percent of New York City's schools still lack a full time certified music teacher on staff, leaving many students without access to the transformative power of music education.
5:01:00
For over thirty years, Education Through Music has provided K through 12 music education at under resourced schools as part of their core curriculum, ensuring that underserved students, particularly those in Title I schools, receive a comprehensive and equitable education.
5:01:17
ATM currently partners with 55 schools to support 20,000 students every week across all five boroughs, providing trained music teachers, instruments, a robust curriculum, and professional development for educators.
5:01:31
As you have already pointed out, Chair Joseph, research consistently shows that music and arts education improve student engagement, enhance academic performance, foster social emotional learning, and even contribute to higher graduation rates.
5:01:45
Furthermore, music has been shown to play a critical role in helping migrant and low income students feel a greater sense of belonging in schools, increasing their engagement and overall well-being.
5:01:55
We are deeply concerned that the proposed changes to the foundation aid formula will only widen this gap, disproportionately affecting students who rely on public education the most.
5:02:05
If enacted, the amendments could lead to the elimination of essential arts programs depriving tens of thousands of students of the opportunity to engage in music and creative learning.
5:02:15
As the state reexamines its funding formula, we urge policymakers at both the city and state level to explicitly incorporate dedicated support for arts education.
5:02:25
We urge the City Council to prioritize investments in arts education, ensuring that organizations like Education Through Music can continue to provide their life changing curriculum amid the looming $350,000,000 cut to New York City public schools under the revised foundation aid formula and potential federal reductions to the Department of Education.
5:02:46
Thank you for your time and your commitment to the future of New York City Students.