Your Voice, Their Future: Summer Advocacy Resources
2026 FMEA Summer Legislative Visit Steps
1. Determine who your state legislators are:
2. Get commitments from 2-4 people including yourself to attend
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It is best if all are constituents, but that is not required. FMEA members, you can bring another music educator or any other teacher (would be best) to speak to the power of music education.
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If you are a collegiate member, you can include friends other than music ed students, perhaps a friend who is majoring in a different field, who could speak to the power of music education influencing their success in the field, parents of former high school students. Determine dates and times that all of you are available.
3. Call the District Office Phone Number (Listed in the links above)
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State that you’d like to make an appointment with the legislator in their home office to discuss Music and Arts education in Florida Schools. Be prepared to give the names of the people who will be attending the meeting. If asked if “Is ok to meet with an aide?” very respectfully and politely state, you’d prefer to meet with the legislator. (This is not often possible for meetings in Tallahassee.)
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Note:
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All 120 House Seats are up for re-election in 2026.
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Research whether your Representative is running or not running and/or retiring .
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If they are not running or retiring– no need to make a visit.
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Do limited research to learn if they are running unopposed or have an opponent.
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Do limited research on opponent just to be knowledgeable. This information will NOT be addressed at all in the meetings.
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Even numbered Senate Districts are up for re-election in 2026.
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If you are represented by an even numbered Senate district, do limited research to learn if your senator is running opposed or will have an opponent. Do limited research on opponent just to be knowledgeable. This information will NOT be addressed at all in the meetings.
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4. Preparing for the meeting
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Briefly review the FMEA advocacy pages https://fmea.org/advocacy/ to familiarize yourself with the available resources.
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Research your legislator. Fine out something out their backgrounds, what legislation they have sponsored and/or supported. Spend time trying to find common ground with your “asks” and their priorities.
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Review the attached 2026 legislative platform – note the items that have been crossed out. You will not need to talk about all of these items, but it is helpful to have some familiarity with these topics. If you have questions please email Jeanne Reynolds jeannewrey@gmail.com or Angela Hartvigsen angelahartvigsen@gmail.com for clarification.
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Review basic information about legislative visits. https://fmea.org/advocacy/communicating-with-legislators/
Understand that legislators will want to know what they can do for you. Early on – you will state you are asking for their support for access to strong music and arts programs for all students in all Florida schools.
5. Meeting Goals
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Build Relationship with Legislator – Ask them if they or family members have any experience in music or the arts.
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Share passion for music and arts education
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Asks:
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Thank them for Passing the Seal of Fine Arts (Briefly explain if legislator is unfamiliar)- Introduce the idea of acceleration points. If a legislator expresses interest or support, please make sure to let Jeanne Reynolds, jeannewrey@gmail.com, Angela Hartvigsen angelahartvigsen@gmail.com or Scott Evans scottevans@cfaefl.org know ASAP.
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Ask to fully fund education so all students have access to music and arts education
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Thank them for not including school funding in property tax amendment language. Share concern that if it passes, it will at least indirectly negatively affect schools.
6. Concluding your meeting
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Thank Legislator
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Let legislator know that our Center for Fine Arts Office, which houses the Florida Music Education Association, the Florida Art Education Association, and the Florida School Music Education Association is in Tallahassee and is a great resource for them.
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Leave your contact info and the letter from Scott Evans at CFAE. Let them know if they ever have any questions, to contact you or Scott.
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Let us (Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs) Jeanne Reynolds jeannewrey@gmail.com or Angela Hartvigsen, AngelaHartvigsen@gmail.com know about your visit. Let us know if the legislator has any connection to music or the arts.
Legislative Visit Talking Points for Music & Arts Education Advocacy
NOTE: These are suggested talking points. It is best to research the legislator you plan to visit. See what legislation they sponsored. Understand their priorities and shape your message to address their priorities.
1. Support for Music/Arts Education Funding
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Core message: Music and arts education are essential to a complete education. They build creativity, discipline, collaboration, problem solving, and belonging, which are all skills Florida needs.
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Key points:
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Arts programs reach every type of learner: high achievers, students seeking connection, and those who find their voice through creative work.
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Participation in the arts is linked to higher attendance, stronger engagement, and improved graduation outcomes (National Endowment for the Arts; Arts Education Partnership).
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In many communities, arts classes are the reason students come to school and stay connected.
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Florida’s arts educators do extraordinary work with limited resources; stable funding keeps programs accessible and equitable.
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Personal stories to share:
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“I’d love to share how music/arts education shaped my own path…”
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“Here’s a student whose life changed because of access to the arts…” “
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This is what my school can offer when programs are funded, and what we risk losing when they’re not…”
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Specific requests:
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Protect and strengthen funding for K–12 music and arts programs.
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Ensure access to arts programs in all districts, including rural and high-need communities.
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2. Support for Acceleration Points for Students Earning the Florida Seal of Fine Arts
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Core message: Students who complete rigorous arts pathways deserve recognition that reflects the depth of their work. Acceleration points would reward students and strengthen schools.
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Key points:
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The Seal of Fine Arts requires sustained commitment, advanced coursework, and demonstrated mastery which is comparable to other recognized acceleration pathways.
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Awarding acceleration points would:
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Incentivize schools to expand arts offerings.
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Encourage students to pursue advanced arts study.
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Strengthen school grades through a rigorous, equitable, and accessible pathway.
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This aligns with Florida’s goals of preparing well-rounded graduates and supporting multiple pathways to success.
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Personal stories to share:
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“Here’s what advanced arts study meant for me (or my students)…”
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“This is the level of work students complete to earn the Seal. It is truly college-and career-ready learning.”
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Specific requests:
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Support legislation or rulemaking to add acceleration points for students earning the Florida Seal of Fine Arts.
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Recognize the Seal as a meaningful indicator of advanced achievement.
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3. Support for Fully Funding Education in Florida
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Core message: Strong schools require stable, adequate funding. Fully funding education ensures every student—regardless of ZIP code—has access to high-quality teachers, safe facilities, and a well-rounded curriculum that includes the arts.
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Key points:
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Florida’s educators are committed to excellence but need the resources to deliver it.
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Fully funded schools can:
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Recruit and retain qualified teachers.
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Maintain safe, modern learning environments.
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Offer a complete curriculum including music, visual arts, theatre, and dance.
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Underfunding disproportionately harms programs like the arts, which are often the first to be cut despite their proven impact.
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Personal stories to share:
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“Here’s what full funding would allow my school or program to do…”
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“Here’s what we’ve been able to accomplish when resources were available…”
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Specific requests:
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Support a state budget that fully funds public education, including the arts.
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Prioritize investments that keep Florida competitive and support student success across all disciplines.
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Closing Message
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“We’re not asking for something extra. We’re asking for what students deserve.”
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“Arts education is part of Florida’s identity and part of what keeps our schools strong.”
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“Thank you for supporting policies that help students thrive academically, socially, and creatively.”
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Legislative Points
Legislative Visit Script for College Students (Particularly for first-timers)
NOTE: These are talking points put into a script format, try not to read it verbatim, but use it to guide your thinking and your remarks.
1. Introduce yourself
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“Hi, I’m ________. I’m a music education major at ________. Thanks for taking a few minutes to talk with us today.”
2. Why you’re here
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“We’re here because the arts have played a huge role in our lives, and we want to make sure students across Florida keep getting those opportunities.”
3. Your personal story
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“I’ll keep this short, but here’s why this matters to me…” Share one quick moment:
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how you found confidence or community
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a teacher who made a difference
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why you chose to go into music education
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(One small, honest story is better than a long one.)
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4. Music/Arts Education Funding
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“Arts classes bring in all kinds of students. People show up for different reasons, but the arts give them a real way to connect and be part of the school. In some schools, these classes are the reason students show up. Keeping funding steady makes sure those programs stay available everywhere.”
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The ask: “We’re hoping you’ll continue to support strong funding for music and arts programs in Florida’s schools.”
5. Acceleration Points for the Seal of Fine Arts
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“The Seal of Fine Arts takes real work — advanced classes, performances, projects. It’s just as rigorous as other pathways that already earn acceleration points.”
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The ask: “We’d love your support in adding acceleration points for students who earn the Seal of Fine Arts.”
6. Fully Funding Education
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“When schools are fully funded, they can keep great teachers, maintain safe spaces, and offer strong learning experiences in every subject, including the arts. When budgets get tight, arts programs are often the first to feel it.”
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The ask: “We’re asking for your support in fully funding public education so students in every ZIP code have access to strong programs.”
7. Closing
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“Thanks again for meeting with us. We really appreciate your time and your service. We care a lot about Florida’s students, and we hope you’ll keep music and arts education strong in our state.”