Yesterday, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan released a letter to school officials and community leaders reminding them of the important role of arts education in a student’s life. This letter offers strong encouragement to education decision makers to find time and funds in the school day to offer a comprehensive, sequential and standards-based arts education. The letter can be read here.

The Secretary has also agreed to join a national conference call hosted by the NAMM Foundation and the Support Music Coalition on Tuesday, August 18th at 1 p.m. EST to discuss the importance of arts education in K-12 education. Mary Luehrsen, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations will moderate a live conversation with Secretary Duncan concerning his letter about the importance of arts education in our nation’s schools.

Join the call to hear what the US Secretary of Education has to say about arts education. We encourage you to forward this invitation to your local school and community leaders and urge their participation in the call. Registration for the conference call is now available. Use this link http://webcast.streamlogics.com/audience/index.asp?eventid=78250848 to register for the event now and up to 15 minutes prior to its start.