Federal Laws:
1. Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA): The ESEA is the primary federal law governing public elementary and secondary education in the United States. It provides funding for various educational programs, including music and arts education, and requires states to develop and implement academic standards in core subjects, which may include music and arts.
2. No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB): The NCLB is an amendment to the ESEA that was enacted in 2002. It emphasizes accountability and standardized testing in public schools. While NCLB does not specifically mention music and arts education, it allows states to use federal funds for these subjects.
3. Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): The ESSA is the most recent reauthorization of the ESEA and was enacted in 2015. It provides states with more flexibility in designing their educational programs, including music and arts education.
State Laws:
In addition to federal laws, each state has its own laws and regulations governing education, including music and arts education. These state laws may vary significantly from state to state. Some states have laws that explicitly require music and arts education in public schools, while others leave it to local school districts to decide whether to offer these subjects. Some states also have standards and guidelines for music and arts education, such as curriculum frameworks and assessment criteria.
In general, the legal basis for teaching music and arts in the United States is well-established at both the federal and state levels. These laws recognize the importance of music and arts education for students' overall development and provide a framework for schools to offer these subjects to their students.