What is Prop 28? A Practical Guide for Music Educators

If you teach music in a California public school, Proposition 28 has opened an extraordinary door - one that many of us never thought we’d see in our lifetimes. For the first time, California has created a dedicated and ongoing funding stream for arts education, including music. The goal is simple: make arts learning a permanent part of every student’s experience, not an optional extra that depends on a principal’s priorities or the success of the booster club’s last fundraiser. But while Prop 28 guarantees the money, it does not guarantee that music programs will automatically receive what they need. That part still requires thoughtful, professional advocacy from teachers. In this post, I’ll try to deliver a clear explanation of Prop 28, along with some practical strategies you can use to secure the materials, tools, and resources that will truly benefit your students.

A Brief History of Prop 28

Championed by former LAUSD Superintendent Austin Buetner and approved by voters in November 2022, Proposition 28 - officially the “Arts and Music in Schools Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act” - was designed to address decades of underfunding in arts education. While California has one of the largest K–12 systems in the United States, arts opportunities had been uneven for years. I’ve seen this myself in many, many districts. I’ve always been astonished that MANY elementary schools in California don’t have any type of formal music program. While it’s true that many secondary schools offer rich performing arts programs; many others offer nothing at all. Prop 28 was approved to change that. Beginning in the 2023–24 school year, California now allocates roughly 1% of the state’s general fund for arts and music education, amounting to nearly $1 billion annually. These funds are restricted, meaning schools must spend them on arts instruction, materials, staffing, or professional development. They cannot be swept into general budgets or used for unrelated initiatives. Sadly, the rollout of Prop 28 has been somewhat chaotic and in some cases, districts have been accused of completely misusing those funds. In fact, there is was lawsuit brought against LAUSD for the misuse of Prop 28 funding moving forward in the court systems right now. That said, Prop 28 is one of the greatest things to happen to arts education, and I am confident that it will all get sorted out in the coming years.

This is why Prop 28 matters for music educators:

At least 80% of Prop 28 funds must support staffing, including credentialed music teachers, teaching artists and classified support roles.

Up to 20% may be spent on materials, supplies, instruments, equipment, curriculum, and supplemental tools.

That 20% is where your advocacy becomes essential. Many administrators want to support the arts, but they need clear, specific requests from the experts—you.

Why You Must Advocate Clearly and Professionally

Even with guaranteed funding, administrators are juggling many priorities. They may not know which materials matter most, which tools will have a lasting impact, or which gaps your program is facing. And the reality is that some district level administrators don’t even know how to get these funds. That’s why when you articulate your needs with confidence and clarity, you’re not just asking for “stuff”—you’re showing that you have a strategic plan for improving teaching and learning. I personally believe that if you use this approach, your administrators will be thankful and hopefully be move willing to move forward with your plans. Remember that effective advocacy isn’t loud or confrontational. It’s transparent, student-centered, and aligned with the school’s mission. In other words, it looks exactly like the work you already do every day. Here is my advice, after speaking with many teachers, administrators and architects of Prop 28 on getting Prop 28 funds for your music program:

Present a Student-Centered “Why”

Administrators respond best when they understand how a request directly benefits students. Rather than saying, “We need new instruments,” frame it like this:

• “We currently have 37 beginning band students sharing 22 functioning instruments. With Prop 28 funds, we can expand access, reduce repair costs, and improve tone production and technique.”

• “Our choir has grown to 120 students, but we lack enough method books and digital resources. Supplemental teaching materials will allow differentiated instruction so all students progress confidently.”

Link your request to student achievement and outcomes, instructional quality, and equitable access.

Bring a Clear, Itemized Proposal

Vague advocacy leads to vague results. Create a short list—no more than one page—that includes:

• Specific supplementary materials (method books, digital platforms, software, composition tools, repertoire bundles, percussion equipment, reeds, mallets, etc.)

• Estimated costs

• Your rationale for each item

• How you will measure impact

Administrators love being able to say “yes” to a well-organized, thoughtful plan. It makes their job easier and demonstrates that you’re being responsible with allocated funding.

Align Your Request with School or District Goals

If your school emphasizes literacy, talk about how music reading strengthens decoding and fluency. If the focus is SEL, highlight music’s well-documented role in building emotional expression, teamwork, and belonging. If technology integration is a priority, explain how digital tools—such as practice platforms like PracticeFirst powered by MatchMySound, notation software like Flat for Education or Noteflight, or digital production tools like Soundtrap and YuStudio—ensure every student receives personalized feedback. When you show that your request supports broader initiatives, administrators see your program as part of the school’s vision, not a separate silo.

Additional Tips for Effective Advocacy

• Use data: Enrollment numbers, participation trends, practice statistics, and assessment results all help demonstrate need.

• Invite administrators into your classroom: When they witness joyful, engaged music making, your requests carry more weight.

• Follow up: A polite email summarizing your conversation shows professionalism and keeps the process moving.

Final Thoughts: Prop 28 Is a Gift—Use It Wisely

Prop 28 represents one of the most significant investments in arts education in U.S. history. But the impact depends on how well educators communicate their needs. You are the expert on your students and your program. By preparing thoughtful proposals and building positive partnerships with administrators, you ensure that music education not only survives—but thrives.

If you’d like more information on Prop 28 and how MusicFirst can help you craft a proposal to get your students accessing our amazing suite of music tools and content, contact Matt Ferry today. I hope this information is helpful! Please feel free to share it with your arts education colleagues!