Capistrano Unified School District

Arts and Music in Schools

On November 8, 2022, California voters approved Proposition 28: The Arts and Music in Schools (AMS) Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act. The measure required the state to establish a new, ongoing program supporting arts instruction in schools beginning in 2023–24.

The legislation allocates 1 percent of the kindergarten through grade twelve (K–12) portion of the Proposition 98 funding guarantee provided in the prior fiscal year, excluding funding appropriated for the AMS education program. Local educational agencies (LEAs) with 500 or more students are required to ensure that at least 80 percent of AMS funds to be expended are used to employ certificated or classified employees to provide arts education program instruction. The remaining funds must be used for training, supplies and materials, and arts educational partnership programs, with no more than 1 percent of funds received to be used for an LEA’s administrative expenses.

elementary 2024-2026 progress

Elementary schools have continued to expand access to arts education through Arts and Music in Schools (AMS/Proposition 28) funding and the strategic use of pooled resources. Elementary principals committed funds to enhance music instruction, resulting in K–3 students receiving music instruction across all three trimesters and increased consistency of instruction across school sites.

This expansion is supported by 12 full-time music teachers and additional music assistants, allowing schools to provide sustained music instruction for students. Schools have also implemented a districtwide visual arts program for all Pre-K through fifth-grade students. Itinerant art teachers serve every elementary school site, increasing student access to visual arts instruction and ensuring consistent program implementation across campuses.

Elementary schools have maintained their investment in instructional materials, musical instruments, and equipment maintenance to support high-quality arts instruction. Ongoing professional learning and instructional support continue to strengthen elementary arts education and ensure long-term sustainability of these programs.

Elementary 2023-2024 Progress

Elementary schools expanded access to arts education through the use of pooled Arts and Music in Schools (AMS/Proposition 28) funds. Principal consensus was reached to enhance and expand arts education programs across elementary school sites.

Six full-time music teachers and additional music assistants supported elementary music instruction. K–3 primary music was offered across all three trimesters, increasing instructional consistency and access for students compared to the prior two-trimester model. These investments strengthened elementary arts programming and established the foundation for continued program expansion.

Arts and Music in School Annual Reports

Secondary 2024-2026 Progress

Secondary schools have continued to expand their Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) programs by adding teaching sections and enhancing instructional support across middle and high school campuses. Increased staffing has allowed schools to broaden course offerings and respond to student interest in music, visual arts, drama, and other VAPA disciplines.

The Instructional Assistant – Arts Education role has supported school sites in increasing instructional assistance across VAPA classrooms, providing additional support for both students and teachers during instruction. Schools have maintained their investment in instructional supplies, musical instruments, and equipment maintenance to support high-quality arts instruction.

Secondary schools have also continued to support educational partnership field trips and performance opportunities that enrich student learning experiences. Ongoing teacher training and professional learning for VAPA educators ensure consistent, comprehensive, and sustainable support for arts education across all secondary sites.

Secondary 2023-2024 Progress

Secondary schools expanded their Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) programs through the addition of teaching sections and instructional assistant support. Fourteen secondary schools hired additional VAPA staff, resulting in a total of twenty-six new VAPA class sections.

Schools also used funds to support instructional supplies, educational partnership field trips, and teacher training opportunities. These investments strengthened instructional capacity and expanded access to Visual and Performing Arts courses across secondary school sites.