Noted music education and arts activist Charles Fowler has inspired music educators for more than 60 years. In this book, editor Craig Resta brings together the most important of Fowler's writings from the journal Musical America for new generations of readers. Here, Fowler speaks to many timeless issues including creativity and culture in the classroom, school funding, reform and policy, assessment and pedagogy, and equality and pluralism in music education. The articles are both research-based and practical, and helpful for many of the most important concerns in school-based advocacy and scholarly inquiry today. Resta offers critical commentary with compelling background to these enduring pieces, placing them in a context that clarifies the benefit of their message to music and arts education. Fowler's words speak to all who have a stake in music education: students, teachers, parents, administrators, performers, community members, business leaders, arts advocates, scholars, professors, and researchers alike. Valuing Music in Education is ideal for everyone who understands the critical role of music in schools and society.

These hearing transcripts present testimony concerning the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education (ESA) Act, which since 1965 has provided the bulk of federal aid to elementary and secondary schools and related programs. Much of the testimony was from New York education officials, school administrators, community leaders, parents, and other interested individuals who voiced opinions about the efficacy of specific programs and activities funded by the ESA Act, particularly those items that they would like to see expanded or improved. Testimony was heard from: (1) Assistant Commissioner for Nonpublic School Services, New York State Education Department for the New York State Commissioner of Education; (2) two school district superintendents; (3) the president of a local branch of the United Federation of Teachers; (4) the president of a New York City business-school partnership; (5) the chancellor of the New York City Board of Education; (6) the president of a school parents' organization; (7) the president of the School of Visual Arts; (8) the executive director of the New York State Mentoring Program on behalf of the chairperson of the New York State Mentoring Program; and (9) the executive director of the Education Priorities Panel. Following the testimonies are prepared statements, letters, and supplemental materials. (MDM)