AB 869, developed by the California State PTA, introduced by Assemblyman Kevin Shelley, and supported by LACAE, CAAE and numerous other organizations, is known as "The Arts Instructional Materials, Equipment and Assistance Program." Bill AB 869 is now on the calendar for the Assembly's Education Committee.

The bill would provide funds to school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools on a per pupil basis for purchases of items or services such as materials, equipment, and supplies for instruction in the arts and for obtaining professional development services from TCAP.

I hope you will read the full text of the bill, which can be found at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm.

I find this bill would provide the much needed funding districts have been asking for to make the improvements needed to ensure that every student in California has assess to a quality arts education during their K - 12 experience.

I have included below a message from Tim Benge, Executive Director of CAAE, which outlines action that you and others may be interested in taking after reading the text of the bill.

Thank you for your constant support and efforts in improving arts education in California,

Kristine Alexander

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As previously mentioned, the Arts Education community now has an incredible, golden opportunity to help gain additional funding for arts education in the public schools. AB 869, developed by the California State PTA and supported by LACAE, CAAE and numerous other organizations, is now on calendar for the Assembly's Education Committee.

This bill, known as the "The Arts Instructional Materials, Equipment and Assistance Program, would provide funds to school districts, county offices of education and charter schools on a per pupil basis. If there was ever a reason to act, this is it!

Please demonstrate your support for arts education by doing the following at your earliest convenience:

1. Forward a short letter expressing your support for this bill. As of this writing, only two letters of support have been registered with the chair of the education committee. These letters are most meaningful, and your efforts here can help move this bill through the process. Please address your letter to:

Assemblyperson Virginia Strom-Martin
Chair, Assembly Education Committee
1020 N Street, Room 159.
Sacramento, CA 95814

2. Send a copy of the letter to Assemblyman Kevin Shelley, Capitol Bldg. Rm 319, Sacramento, CA 95814. He introduced the bill and is looking forward to our support.

3. Forward this information to everyone in your network and ask for their support. Quick action at this time is critical.

The Assembly Education Committee includes:

Virgina Strom-Martin (Chair), Santa Rosa
Lynn Leach (Vice Chair), Walnut Creek
Elaine Alquist, Santa Clara
Thomas Calderon, Montebello
Lou Correa, Santa Ana
Jackie Goldberg, Los Angeles
Carol Liu, Pasadena
Ken Maddox, Garden Grove
Rod Pacheco, Riverside
Fran Pavley, Encino
Simon Salinas, Hollister
Juan Vargas, National City
Carl Washington, Compton
Mark Wyland, Vista
Charlene Zettel. Poway

Chief Consultant: Hal Geiogue.
Consultants: Aimee Scribner, Kimberly Rodriguez, Mavonne Garrity. Secretary: Francie Rupert.
1020 N Street, Room 159.
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 319-2087.

Letters from organizations are the most effective, as are letters from individuals. E-mails hardly get noticed, but letters do have an impact. A copy of the bill can be downloaded from www.leginfo.ca.gov or by e-mail from the CAAE office.

Many thanks to everyone,

Tim

Tim Benge, D.M.A. Executive Director California Alliance for Arts Education