For the past two school years, the NAMM Foundation — in partnership with the National Association for Music Education, and with an expanded partnership this year that includes the Educational Theatre Association and National Dance Education Organization — reached out to educators across the nation to see how Title IV-A ESSA funds are supporting education in the arts. In this session study partners unveil what they learned, what arts educators know about Title IV-A and what more needs to be done to help ensure these federal funds support better access to a well-rounded education. Session participants dive into arts education programs supported by Title IV-A funding and practice requesting such funds for their own schools and communities.
James Palmarini is the director of educational policy at Educational Theatre Association. He was the founding editor of Teaching Theatre journal. James serves on the Arts Education Partnership Advisory Board; the Washington D.C.-based Arts Education Working Group; National Federation of High Schools Speech, Debate, and Theatre Committee; the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards (NCCAS) Leadership committee; the Innovation Collaborative Board; and the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education Board, and manages EdTA’s Advocacy Leadership Network.
Lynn Tuttle is the director of public policy, research and professional development for the National Association for Music Education. Her duties include supporting music educators and state leaders in the areas of standards, assessment, research, teacher evaluation and the interconnection of federal and state policy. Lynn holds a bachelor’s degree in music in flute from Peabody Conservatory of Music, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the humanities and world history from the Johns Hopkins University (Phi Beta Kappa) and a master’s in business administration from the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.
Mary Luehrsen is director of public affairs and government relations for NAMM, the National Association for Music Merchants and executive director of the NAMM Foundation. Luehrsen oversees NAMM’s government relations and advocacy efforts that affect support for music education and impact NAMM members as global music product businesses. Her role with the NAMM Foundation focuses on support for music research and philanthropic and public service programs that advance music-making opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.
