Roseville (CA) – Earlier this month, two students from School of Rock Roseville took their message of the importance of music education all the way to the State Capitol.
11-year-old Josh and 9-year-old Eliana Bleckley met with State Senate staff members to explain how proposed legislation could negatively affect a number of families. The kids spoke about how School of Rock has been such an important aspect of their education. Eliana even shared a song that she had written at School of Rock!
The visit was a response to a proposed State Assembly bill, a potentially seismic shift in the way some homeschool families receive money from the state. The Bleckleys attend The Cottonwood School, a non-classroom based charter school in El Dorado Hills. It’s one of many charter schools that provide state-directed curriculum and funding for homeschool families.
Through this arrangement, the state directs $3,000 per student annually to families for outside enrichment programs like gymnastics, martial arts, and music – music programs like School of Rock. A number of School of Rock families are able to attend because of this arrangement.
However, in response to recent reports of fraud within the system, the California assembly introduced a bill (AB 84) that would drastically alter this financial arrangement. If the bill passed, schools like Cottonwood would potentially have to end the enrichment funding.
Eliana and Josh’s mom, Kelly, wanted to share with the legislature what a crushing blow this bill would deal to families like hers.
“Eliana compared School of Rock to other school piano classes, and explained how much more she is getting out of her School of Rock lessons,” said Kelly. “She told them all the ways music is helping her learn and grow.”
Kelly said Josh and Eliana’s words really seemed to have an impact on the staffers.
“Seeing the kids’ faces, hearing how much it means to them, you could tell the shift in their response,” Kelly said. “It’s different when you hear it from a child.”
Due to a lot of hard work and advocacy, AB 84 has since been placed “inactive” so charter schools can keep funding music programs like School of Rock. A replacement bill (SB 414) that watches for fraud but doesn’t include funding cuts is currently awaiting the Governor’s signature.