2022 CA Proposition 28: Arts & Music for a Sane Future

While other (Red) states’ education-oriented politicians are busy banning books, sanitizing history courses, and conjuring up restroom gender patrols, Californians are being presented with the opportunity to make sure students get a complete education.

Legislative Language: Provides Additional Funding for Arts and Music Education in Public Schools. Initiative Statute

Yes on 28 - Vote Art & Music
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Although state law says public schools are required to offer all K-12 students instruction in visual and performing arts, a mere 20% of them have a full-time arts or music education program. Programs like music, dance, theater, and art are all-too-often considered nice to have but not essential, especially when school budgets tighten.

Proposition 28 would require a minimum source of annual funding for K-12 public schools, including charter schools, to fund arts education programs. This pot of money would be determined by 1% of total state and local revenues received by local education agencies under Proposition 98 during the prior fiscal year.

This isn’t a new tax. It’s a dedicated allocation from the general fund sending $800 million to $1 billion each fiscal year to local districts. 

From the Los Angeles Times editorial endorsing Prop 28:

• Because the money would be drawn from the general fund, and without a new revenue source like a tax or fee, it could eventually come at the expense of other state-funded programs. While that isn’t an issue right now with the state swimming in a gigantic budget surplus, it’s likely to constrain lawmakers as soon as revenues tighten again…

• ...Proponents argue that arts education is so important that the ends justify the means. They acknowledge the initiative was structured without a tax increase or other funding mechanism because it has the best chance of passage that way. And they say they took the matter to voters because politicians have failed to provide adequate funding, and because California’s public school children don’t have anyone effectively lobbying on their behalf.

• We should be clear that this initiative is a backdoor way to funnel more state money into schools and that its approach is more pragmatic than perfect. But that is not reason enough to vote no and deprive California children of these opportunities.

A formula doling out funds in a manner concentrating money for schools with lower income student bodies is built into Prop 28, ensuring those currently less likely to be taught art or music receive this kind of instruction. Hiring an additional 15,000 arts and music teachers/aides is to take up 80% of this funding, with the remaining funds paying for training, supplies and materials and for educational partnerships with community and arts organizations. 

The arguments for increasing such instruction are clear;  it is essential for building a capacity for creativity and self-expression, critical thinking, empathy and other skills needed to engage with school and civic society.

To my way of thinking, this is an antidote for the sort of tunnel vision enabling bigotry and selfishness at the root of contemporary threats to democracy.

From Ed100:

Advocates argue that the arts are more important than ever in difficult times. Psychology Today collected relevant research about it in a post titled “The Arts Are the Reset Button Students Need This School Year”. Highlights:

• "Arts-based interventions are an effective way to engage students in their own healing and may help restore students' mental wellbeing.

• Making art can alleviate stress, increase mindfulness, and help people process experiences and feelings in a safe space, research shows."

Student involvement in the arts is linked to stronger academic performance, higher standardized test scores, greater involvement in community service and lower dropout rates. Multiple studies show that arts education decreases feelings of anxiety and depression. The Reopening Schools Task Force of the California Department of Education urges all schools to keep the emotional well-being of all at the forefront.

Prop 28 is also needed after a couple of years of trauma for students induced by the angst and conflicts from the pandemic.

From EdSource:

• If you want to educate the whole child, you have to tap into their social-emotional core and let them express themselves, experts say. Giving young people a chance to let it all out can help lower stress and raise self-esteem, paving the way for learning.

• The arts can be a safe haven for children to face big emotions, to channel fears and frustrations into acts of creativity. Under this initiative, school leaders would choose what to spend the money on, deciding which artistic pursuit, from dance and drawing to animation, best suits the needs of their students.

• “So many of our kids have been struggling with mental health issues during this pandemic,” said singer Katy Perry, one of the celebrities helping campaign for the initiative. “Arts and music education plays a critical role in supporting the mental health of young people. Now more than ever, it’s important we give all kids access to this critical resource.”

More than one million people signed the petition to place Prop 28 on the fall 2022 ballot. Former L.A. Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner took the lead on this issue, with support from scores of Hollywood executives and entertainers, including Katy Perry, Issa Rae, John Lithgow and Jeff Bridges. Entertainment industry unions were also supporters, including SAG-AFTRA, Actors Equity and the California branch of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

Supporters have raised more than $9 million to promote the proposition. While there is no formal opposition, some newspapers have editorialized against it, like The Mercury News and East Bay Times Editorial Board:

• Spending on California K-12 public education has reached record levels. Student enrollment is at the lowest point in two decades. The result: Per-student expenditures adjusted for inflation are the highest since at least 1988. Yet, for some, there’s never enough money. ... Voters should reject Proposition 28. It’s fiscally reckless to keep earmarking unpredictable state general fund money when we don’t know what the future needs of California will be as it confronts, for example, a housing shortage, climate change, inadequate water supplies and wildfires.

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Next up: Proposition 29: SEIU vs. Kidney Clinics — Meeting the Definition of Insanity

Previous voter guides:
(More coming soon)

California State Officials
California’s DC Delegation
State Senate races
State Assembly Races
SD County Supervisors
County Sheriff, Assessor, and Treasurer Races
SD Measure B: Cash Meets Trash 
SD Measure C: Reach for the Sky! Or Else?
SD Measure D: Righting a Wrong to Build a Future
SD Measure H: It’s for the Children (And Their Parents)
CA Proposition One: It’s About More Than Abortion
CA Propositions 26 & 27: Betcha Can’t Pick Just One

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Boards of Education Contests:
Analysis by Thomas Ultican

2022 School Board Contests, Part 1
The County Board, San Diego Unified, Sweetwater Union, Poway Unified

2022 School Board Contests, Part 2
Chula Vista, San Marcos, Vista, Grossmont

2022 School Board Contests, Part 3
Oceanside, Escondido, San Dieguito

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Email me at WritetoDougPorter@Gmail.com