Expanding Access to Comprehensive Music Education

K-12 STEAM education

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

In LA County, 75% of elementary and middle schools do not have the equivalent of a full-time music teacher (LA Arts Collective 2023). Prop 28 (2022) guaranteed the first increase in CA public school arts funding in 34 years, yet confusion regarding quality program implementation and fulfillment amidst a teacher shortage persists. In CA, an estimated 15,000 arts teachers are needed, with only ~5,000 credentialed teachers in the field. Districts/schools need support and guidance leveraging Prop 28 and learning how to build long-term, sequential and comprehensive music programs.
Research shows that students enrolled in school arts programs have higher attendance, graduation rates, reading levels, fewer discipline issues, and stronger social-emotional skills. Yet, there remains fragmentation of music and arts programming across school districts. “It’s no longer just a school issue, it’s a moral issue. There’s a huge equity gap” (L. Smyth, CA Alliance for Arts Ed).

Founded in 2006, ETM-LA has grown from reaching 2 partner schools and 800 students to 40 partner schools, reaching ~19,000 students across LA County. ETM-LA uniquely guides partner schools on launching their sequential music program for all students, nurturing development from program inception to graduation and self-sustainability. This requires care, coordination, and collaborative planning among school and community members. We provide a comprehensive template for school ecosystems by: Implementing Comprehensive & Sequential Music Education for all students, along with creative/arts industry opportunities
Ensuring Professional Development and top-notch instruction by recruiting, training, & placing dedicated music teachers/interns Providing Leadership Support & Guidance - ongoing mentorship & strategic planning for District & School Decision Makers
Fostering Community Engagement - access & agency for parents & school communities to foster a culture of support & understanding for the arts
To address the sector’s challenges and strengthen Music Teacher Pathways, we tripled the # of teacher mentors & interns, opening more opportunities for immersive in-class learning. Music classes align with state/national standards and K-12 STEAM education using a culturally responsive approach to nurture character development, self-esteem, and social-emotional skills. Our work is predicated on a comprehensive, holistic approach for partners to build, develop, and sustain music programs.

ETM-LA envisions success as scaling our work towards equity & access for more self-sustainable music programs.
Short-term impact:
95% of partner schools maintain/increase financial commitment to their programs
10 new school programs start; 8% of current schools graduate
>50% of Interns graduate to Music Teaching faculty
90% parents believe music is beneficial to students/school community
Long-term intended impact (by 2050) includes increases in:
Student performance in & attitudes toward arts/school
School efforts toward sustaining programs independently: 175 new school programs launch; 75 schools graduate
Los Angeles leading as a model for K-12 STEAM education & music/arts
The benefits of music are life-changing. After 1 year, Compton partner McKinley went from 21st of 21 to 1st in attendance; year 2 rose to 1st in math & reading. Providing equity & inclusion ensures that children have a bright future and Los Angeles is the best place to create, play, connect, live, & learn in 2050.

ETM-LA’s impact is measured by ongoing feedback & formal/informal evaluation. Partners take an active role in every step of their music program development & expansion. Before and during the launch, we gather baseline data. Readiness factors can include: Leadership, Faculty Understanding of Music, & Capacity. Impact to date: 155k+ music classes, 190k+ students, 60k+ PD hrs for teachers. Partner surveys & assessments (2023) show: 94%+ schools see improvement in student performance; 98%+ parents say music is beneficial; 90%+ classroom teachers use music to support learning.
Our Graduation Pathway (3-7 yrs.) includes 3 phases with milestones. In recent years, 9 schools graduated. In 2024, 3 Compton partners graduated & hired our placed credentialed MTs. 6 partner schools won the coveted CA Distinguished Schools for the Arts Award. Principal of Elysian Hgts. (Graduate): “ETM-LA has been an incredible partner in expanding our arts program. By far, one of the best investments we have made!”