Imagine a school site where the students have the opportunity to freely express themselves with paints and textiles.

Imagine a school site where a student may learn what sounds the trombone makes and may decide to learn more about the instrument.

Imagine a school site where the students have the time to learn to move their bodies to the sound of music.

Imagine a school site where rising academic achievement reflects the infusion of arts in the curriculum.

In an historic moment for arts education, these dreams may now become reality as the California budget contains $105 million in an on-going funding for arts and music education and $500 million in a one-time block grant for arts/music/physical education equipment and supplies.

This funding for arts education represents a victory for the children of California.  Extensive research confirms that involvement with the arts improves academic and personal success --particularly for our most needy students.

This is an issue of equity as providing the opportunity to explore the arts at the school site opens the door for all children, not just the children of parents who have the wealth and resources to pay for  private lessons in areas of arts education themselves.

On behalf of the over one million PTA members in California, I wish to thank our Governor and our legislators for providing this opportunity for California's children to explore their dreams with the arts.

Brenda J. Davis
California State PTA President