Proposition 28—Arts and Music in Schools Funding

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. The full text of the statute is available here: Chapter 5.1 of Part 6 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code (Section 8820 et seq.).

Funding

Funding details are available on the California Department of Education (CDE) Principal Apportionment Section for AMS web page.

• Proposition 28: Arts and Music in Schools Funding Results

AMS Web Portal

Local educational agencies (LEAs) can access the AMS web portal to submit written waiver requests, reports, and certifications associated with the Proposition 28: The Arts and Music in Schools Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act.

• AMS web portal

Audit

Annual audits of K-12 local educational agencies (LEAs) conducted in accordance with Education Code (EC) Section 41020 shall include funds received and distributed by the LEA pursuant to Proposition 28—The Arts and Music in Schools (AMS) Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act (EC Section 8820) and shall include a determination of whether the funds were expended pursuant to statutory requirements.

The following resources are provided to assist LEAs and their auditors in determining compliance with use of funds requirements discussed above.

• Proposition 28 Arts and Music in Schools – Financial Reporting and Audit Resources
• Arts and Music in Schools Audit Compliance Worksheets (XLSX)
• Annual Audit Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of frequently asked questions related to the Proposition 28—Arts and Music Education Funding Program.

• Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Information

CDE Resources

• California Arts Standards for Public Schools, Prekindergarten Through Grade Twelve (PDF)
  The 2019 California Arts Standards for Public Schools, Prekindergarten Through Grade Twelve (Arts Standards) update the four arts disciplines—dance, music, theatre, and visual arts—and include new standards for media arts as a discrete discipline. Media arts includes diverse categories such as digital imaging, animation, sound production, web design, virtual reality, and interactive design, along with new and emerging forms. The Arts Standards reflect the fundamental belief that every child should have equitable access to high-quality, standards-based arts education to thrive and participate in modern society.

• California Arts Education Framework for Public Schools, Transitional Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (PDF)
  The California Arts Education Framework for Public Schools, Transitional Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (Arts Education Framework) provides updated guidance for educators and others interested in arts education to implement the Arts Standards. Together, the Arts Standards and the Arts Education Framework support students in developing artistic literacy through authentic processes that artists engage in.

The three quick reference guides below include essential information for parents and guardians, educators and arts professionals, and local educational agencies and governing boards.

• Reference Guide for Parents and Guardians (PDF)
• Reference Guide for Educator and Arts Professionals (PDF)
• Reference Guide for Local Educational Agencies and Governing Boards (PDF)

Webinar Series

Webinar 1 (February 1, 2024)

On February 1, 2024, the CDE hosted a webinar centered on how to expand arts education for California students using Arts and Music in Schools (AMS) funds. The webinar featured Prop 28 author Austin Beutner; California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond; 2023 California Teacher of the Year Catherine Borek; as well as representatives from the CDE, California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, San Diego County Office of Education, and Create California to discuss how to best leverage funding.

• Full recording of Webinar 1 (Video; 1:26:20)

Webinar 2 (March 14, 2024)

On March 14, 2024, the CDE hosted the second webinar in the Proposition 28/Arts and Music in Schools series. The webinar provided technical assistance for LEAs by explaining the formulas behind the 2023–24 funding allocation, demonstrating a walk-through of the written waiver submission process, detailing the adopted audit guide procedures, and summarizing all reporting and certification obligations.

• Full recording of Webinar 2 (Video; 1:05:27)

External Resources

A range of organizations in California have developed guidance for implementing the AMS at the local level. Select resources are listed below.

• The Los Angeles County Arts Education Collective: Resources for Arts and Music in Schools (Prop 28) Implementation
  
  
• Commission on Teacher Credentialing: Guidance to support LEAs in filling positions with appropriately authorized educators in accordance with the Arts and Music in Schools Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act
  
  
• Commission on Teacher Credentialing: Appropriate Credentials for CALPADS Course Codes
  
  
• Commission on Teacher Credentialing: Approved Institutions and Programs
  
  
• Create California, Prop 28: Arts and Music in Schools Planning Toolkit (highlighted in the 2/1/2024 webinar)
  
  
• California County Superintendents Arts Initiative, Service Regions, and Leadership Contacts (highlighted in the 2/1/2024 webinar)
  
  
• Arts Education and the California Dashboard (PDF)
  
  
• ArtsEdSearch compiles research on the impact of arts education
  
  
• California Arts Education Framework, resources for implementation
  
  
• California County Superintendents Arts Initiative, “Thanks to Prop 28 School Districts Need Arts Teachers”
  

Related Content

• Chapter 5.1 of Part 6 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code (Section 8820 et seq.)
• Proposition 28 Official Voter Information Guide, California Secretary of State
• Proposition 28 [Ballot] (ca.gov) – Legislative Analyst Office Ballot Analysis
  

Proposition 28 Arts and Music in Schools (AMS) Listserv

The purpose of the California Department of Education Proposition 28 contacts listserv is to provide LEAs and other interested parties important information, such as notifications regarding the release of additional program information related to the AMS program.

To Subscribe:

If you would like to subscribe to the Proposition 28 listserv, send a blank message to
join-prop28@mlist.cde.ca.gov.

To Unsubscribe:

Contacts

• Program Questions: Contact the Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Resources Division by email at Prop28@cde.ca.gov.
• Fiscal Questions: Contact the School Fiscal Services Division, Principal Apportionment Section, by email at Prop28@cde.ca.gov.