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 2025-2026 progress
elementary 2025-2026 progress
elementary 2025-2026 progress
In 2025-26, elementary principals agreed to continue pooling Proposition 28 resources to support a coordinated approach to elementary arts education across the District. Through this collaborative funding model, schools were able to provide comprehensive access to music, visual arts, and movement-based arts instruction while maximizing the impact of available resources and ensuring that students at every elementary site benefited from expanded arts opportunities.
This included continuing the third trimester of primary music for students in Kindergarten through Grade 3, which began in 2023-24 and was staffed by six full-time music teachers and music assistants. The District also sustained the itinerant visual arts program for students in prekindergarten through Grade 5, which began in 2024-25 and was staffed by seven itinerant art teachers serving every elementary site. In addition, the District launched a new Rhythm and Movement program in 2025-26 for students in Kindergarten through Grade 5, providing one 50-minute session each week and staffed by ten itinerant teachers and thirteen instructional assistants.
These programs provided students with increased access to standards-aligned arts instruction and opportunities for creative expression across multiple artistic disciplines. The coordinated use of Proposition 28 funding allowed elementary schools to deliver specialized instruction that would have been difficult to provide through individual school allocations alone while ensuring access for students throughout the District. Collectively, these investments enriched the elementary educational experience and supported the District's ongoing commitment to providing high-quality visual and performing arts opportunities for all students.
Secondary 2025-2026 Progress
Secondary 2025-2026 Progress
Secondary 2025-2026 Progress
Secondary schools continued to expand and strengthen their Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) programs through strategic investments in staffing, instructional support, materials, and student enrichment opportunities. Proposition 28 funding enabled secondary sites to add teaching sections in a variety of arts disciplines, increasing student access to courses in visual arts, music, theater, media arts, and other VAPA pathways. These additional sections helped schools meet growing student interest in arts education while expanding opportunities for participation and course availability.
The Instructional Assistant - Arts Education role continued to provide valuable support to VAPA programs across middle and high schools. These positions assisted with classroom instruction, preparation of materials, student supervision, equipment management, performances, exhibitions, and other program needs, allowing certificated staff to enhance instructional delivery and student engagement. Schools also maintained investments in instructional supplies, equipment, and materials necessary to support high-quality arts instruction and hands-on learning experiences.
In addition, secondary sites utilized Proposition 28 resources to support educational partnership field trips, performances, exhibitions, and other enrichment opportunities that extended learning beyond the classroom. Ongoing professional learning and training for VAPA teachers further strengthened program quality and instructional capacity. Collectively, these investments supported robust and comprehensive arts education programs, expanded student access and participation, and enhanced opportunities for creative expression, artistic development, and career-connected learning across the secondary grades.
