MENC is the world's largest arts education organization and the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. More than 142,000 members and supporters represent all levels of teaching from preschool to graduate school. Since 1907, MENC has worked to ensure that every student has access to a well-balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality program of music instruction taught by qualified teachers. We want to ensure the stability of these programs. In today's economy we need your help to show how important music education is to us all. Be it resolved that we, the undersigned, agree that all Americans should work to enhance and support music education in our nation’s schools. To that end, we call on the U.S. Department of Education and all American leaders to: • Mandate that music and the other arts are part of every child’s core curriculum; • Ensure music and the other arts are included as a part of a balanced education addressing the whole child, to prepare them for the creative thinking necessary for success in the work force of the future; • Ensure qualified music teachers and sequential curricula be recognized as the basis for providing all students with substantive education in music and the other arts; • Ensure programs in music and the other arts provide rigorous instruction, monitor progress and performance through meaningful assessment, and take place within a structure of accountability to school officials, parents, and the community. Be it therefore resolved that the authorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, also known as No Child Left Behind, not only identify music as a core subject, but also recognize music education as a mandatory component in every public education curriculum in the United States of America.