FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
TEMPE UNION’S MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAM RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION
April 28, 2023 – Tempe Union High School District has been honored with the ‘Best Communities for Music Education’ designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. For 24 years, the Best Communities for Music Education designation has been awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, the district answered detailed questions about their programming and funding. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
“Music education is and has always been important to this district and its students,” said Josh Thye, the District’s Coordinator of Fine and Performing Arts. “This award will have a lasting impact on the Tempe Union music education programs because it recognizes the hard work that these faithful music educators and their talented students are doing, and shines a light on the excellence in the musical arts in this school district.”
Since the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in 2015 and a stated emphasis on a well-rounded education, many school districts have re-committed to music and arts education programs. During the pandemic, music and arts programs were a vital component to keeping students engaged in school. Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. After two years of music education, researchers found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores than their less-involved peers and that students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate high school but also to attend college as well.
“I am so proud of the wonderful teachers and amazing students in our music programs,” said Superintendent Kevin Mendivil. “Music education truly builds a well-rounded student and sets them on a path for future success.”
About Tempe Union High School District | Tempe Union High School District (TUHSD) is an A-rated school district by the Arizona Department of Education and home to approximately 12,000 students across six high schools. Five TUHSD schools have also earned the A+ Award of Excellence from the Arizona Educational Foundation and three schools – Desert Vista, Mountain Pointe, and McClintock - have earned the award twice. It is our vision that all students will graduate with the knowledge, understanding, and ability to apply skills necessary for success in college, career and life. For more information, visit www.tempeunion.org.
About The NAMM Foundation | The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 15,000 member companies and individual professionals. The foundation advances active participation in music-making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.
###
