Increased Access to Music Education in Elementary Schools Signed into Law

TALLAHASSEE — Legislation championed by Senator Keith Perry (R-Gainesville) to promote well-rounded elementary education by increasing access to music classes in elementary schools has been signed into law with full funding. SB 156 "Early Childhood Music Education Incentive Pilot Program" establishes a three-year music education pilot program within the Florida Department of Education to assist needs-based school districts in implementing comprehensive music education programs for students in kindergarten through grade 2.

“What if we could raise the I.Q. of Florida students by an average of seven points with one simple change? Studies suggest that exposure to comprehensive music education has a dramatic effect on I.Q., long-term memory and concentration,” said Senator Keith Perry. “I thank Governor DeSantis for recognizing the vast benefits of increasing fine arts education and signing this transformative law to provide a more well-rounded education for our students and future workforce.”

Representative Vance Aloupis (R-Miami) said, “As someone who has worked in early childhood education for more than a decade, I know firsthand the importance of music in young children’s lives. This bill will be a wonderful partnership between UF and FIU as we expand music education across Florida and support our youngest learners.”

The bill also requires The University of Florida’s College of Education to coordinate with Florida International University’s College of Music to evaluate the program’s positive impacts on academic performance. The findings will be shared with the Florida Center for Partnerships for Arts-Integrated Teaching.

UF College of Education Dean Glenn Good, PhD said, “I am delighted that SB 156 has been signed by Governor DeSantis. This important project will advance our understanding of the relation between children’s early K-2 involvement in comprehensive music education and their subsequent academic performance.”

 UF College of Education Professors David Miller, PhD and Anne Seraphine, PhD said, “We are pleased to hear that the Governor has approved SB 156. The bill provides funding for an early childhood music education pilot program, which is much needed. As evaluators of the pilot program, our work will be a collaborative effort with FIU’s school of music and the state. We’re enthusiastic about music education being offered in the schools. We strongly believe that music education benefits Florida’s youngest citizens and their families, playing an important role in children’s growth, both intellectually, artistically, and psychologically. We look forward to this opportunity to do our part to serve the educational needs of Florida’s schools and children.”

In order for a school district to be eligible for the pilot program, the superintendent must certify to the Florida Commissioner of Education that the specified schools within the district have established a comprehensive music program that meets DOE standards. District selection will be prioritized by proximity to the University of Florida, and selected districts will receive $150 per FTE student in K-2 who are enrolled in music classes.

Senator Perry began championing the pilot program as one of his top legislative priorities in 2016. While the program has been established since 2017, implementation was made possible by Governor DeSantis’s approval of the full recurring funding in the state budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021.

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