Impacts of Prop 28/AMS Funding

In 2023 California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 28 which created a steady funding source meant to expand arts and music instruction in California schools. These funds, now called AMS Funds, are now available to local education agencies.

Here is some of the results from this survey to share the impact and challenges AMS Funds has made for your programs. If you’d like to fill out our four-question survey to share a) the positive impact AMS has made in your program, and b) share any standing concerns you may have about AMS implementation.

Successes and Ideas

  • We have been able to add a dedicated SAI music teacher so that students participating in those classes get to experience music with their homeroom and also with their specialized instruction in the SAI room.
  • We’ve been able to add sections of music at multiple middle and high schools, as well as refresh our elementary music instrument inventory for larger instruments
  • We have been able to purchase new orchestra chimes with Prop 28 money, raise pay of an already existing music department aid, and hire some instrument specific clinicians.
  • Ability to have music and arts coaches that are paid not by fundraising. Chance to expand offerings with part time and co teaching options.
  • My school was able to hire a third music teacher. This allowed us to offer orchestra and guitar classes that have been quite popular and successful. Opportunities abound thanks to Prop 28 funding!
  • We used this funding to make me full time at the HS instead of being split at the MS. We were also able to add elementary music teachers and now have a dedicated person at each site.
  • We have hired seven new arts teachers at the elementary level, thus providing music and arts instruction to every child in grades K-6! We have also taken much of the burden off of families at the secondary level by providing instructional assistants and coaches to every arts discipline at the secondary level.
  • We have been able to offer new general music programs at 3 elementary schools, and we have plans to expand to two more sites next year. Secondary sites are getting support for funding walk on coaches, relieving parent groups of extra fundraising for instructional costs.