Proposition 28, an opportunity for California students

As a professional in the creative industry, I am passionate about the transformative power of art. And I want everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic background, to have access to a variety of arts education. Proposition 28 will give every student in California that opportunity.

To be honest, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the art classes I took in high school, and no, I’m not exaggerating.

When I came to my first TV production class at Mountain View High School in El Monte, I felt my future change right in front of me. The possibilities seemed endless to me; my mind raced with excitement, and I knew exactly where I wanted to be: in the pavilion, behind the camera, creating entertainment for millions of people.

Thirty plus years later, I still consider those early years in public high school to be the start of my career in the television industry.

Exposure to the arts at a young age sparked my passion for the television industry and is the foundation of my career today.

Numerous studies show that arts and music education has numerous cognitive benefits and helps boost children’s self-esteem, as well as providing them with the tools and opportunities to pursue artistic and creative careers. Arts education stimulates the development of our youth, makes them more involved in their studies and reduces the rate of absenteeism.

That’s why I support Proposition 28. This measure aims to increase funding for music and arts education programs in California public schools and provide a comprehensive education for six million students without raising taxes. I want all Californian students to have the same opportunities that I have.

California public schools do not currently have the resources and funds to offer these programs to all students in the state as required by law.

Although California is the creative capital of the world, only 1 in 5 public schools in the state has a full-fledged arts or music program. In fact, 88% of schools still do not offer the arts and music education required by federal law. The effects of underfunded arts and music education are most severe in public schools in low-income communities, especially affecting African American and Hispanic PreK-12 students, who make up 61% of the total population. enrollment from low-income segments of the population.

As a result, this deprives millions of students of the real and tangible benefits of arts and music education. Our children deserve the best.

It is imperative that all students, regardless of zip code, are prepared for the future. Proposition 28 provides more than $900 million in arts and music for students in all PreK-12 public schools in California without tax increases. The initiative requires that 100% of additional school funds be used for arts and music education, with at least 80% for hiring teachers and teacher assistants.

Proposition 28 funding also ensures that the future workforce reflects the diversity of public school students, offering career paths that many find out of reach.

California is my home, and art is the main engine of our economy. As a creative industry professional whose lives have been changed by the arts, I want everyone, regardless of background or economic background, to have access to an arts education. It’s not just about creating musicians, artists, or the next Hollywood executive, though it’s also a worthwhile endeavor. Arts education is more than that: it aims to enrich the lives of our students and ensure they have as many tools as possible to build a family-supporting career.

Chris Abrego