03/13/2026
🔔It’s Music In Our Schools Month—and in Ohio, students’ access to music depends on the people doing the work every day: our music teachers.📣
🥳Ohio is reaching a lot of kids through music:
89% of students have access to music education, and 56% participate.
That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because music educators often carry large student rosters, multiple preps, and responsibilities that extend well beyond the school day.
What music teachers make happen (often with limited staffing):
🎵Instruction from beginner to advanced, across multiple grade levels
🎵Planning, assessment, and accommodations so more students can succeed
🎵Recruitment and retention to keep programs strong year to year
🎵Rehearsals, concerts, travel, and events that build school community
🎵Instrument inventory, repairs, uniforms, and logistics that most people never see
🎵Belonging and connection that help students stay engaged in school
As budget pressures hit districts, cuts can become fewer teachers serving the same (or more) students—which affects teacher-to-student ratios, workload, and student opportunities.
This month, let’s celebrate music teachers by backing them up.
🎯How to support your school music program in Ohio:
🎵Join (or start) a booster group
🎵Thank a music teacher (a quick note from a student matters)
🎵Show up to a performance and invite a friend
🎵Volunteer (set-up, uniforms, chaperones, fundraising, instrument drives)
🎵Attend a school board meeting and speak during public comment
🎵Write local and state policymakers to support sustainable staffing and a well-rounded education
🎵Share this post so leaders hear that Ohio communities value music
Music education is part of a well-rounded education—and Ohio students deserve access supported by sustainable staffing.
Source: Arts Education Data Project (2023): Ohio music education access (89%) and participation (56%).