might exclude their participation in high-level musical activities, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to engage. Initiatives like this, while meaningful, also require substantial oversight and support. To that end, NJMEA helps provide that by focusing its legislative influence and advocacy at the state level, particularly through a strong partnership with Arts Ed New Jersey. This collaborative entity serves as the primary voice for all arts education in Trenton, possessing the expertise and connections to navigate the legislative landscape effectively. “They really are our number one advocate.They have all the information and know who to contact. They know when important bills are coming up, so we really look to them for our state advocacy efforts,” McDevitt says. However, outside of working with Arts Ed New Jersey, NJMEA’s direct advocacy efforts are primarily channeled through empowering its members. Recognizing that external organizations like NJMEA are often not well-received when school budgets are discussed, NJMEA instead equips teachers with the knowledge and strategies to advocate for their programs within their districts. This includes guidance on addressing school boards, mobilizing parent involvement, and providing factual data to support the importance of music education. By empowering its members this way, NJMEA has 221 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 NEW JERSEY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION
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