For the eighth consecutive year, IUSD has been named one of the nation’s Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation. IUSD joins only four percent of school districts nationwide to receive this prestigious honor for its commitment to music and education.
“This honor is indicative of IUSD’s unwavering commitment to the arts and music education,” said Brad Van Patten, IUSD Director of Arts Education. “Despite being one of the lowest funded school districts in the nation, the arts have flourished for each child in IUSD schools under the Board of Education’s visionary leadership and the belief that the arts play an essential role in children’s education.”
Van Patten also recognized and thanked the Irvine Company and the Irvine Public Schools Foundation for their generous support of the District’s visual and performing arts programming, which benefits thousands of students each year.
Now in its 21st year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, IUSD answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, and support for the music programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
In a prepared statement, the NAMM Foundation said, “Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational, cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. After two years of music education, research found that participants showed substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading compared to their less involved peers.
“A 2015 study supported by The NAMM Foundation, “Striking A Chord,” also outlines the overwhelming desire by teachers and parents for music education opportunities for all children as part of the school curriculum.”