Prop 28 & ELOP Resource Hub for California Districts

Helping districts maximize arts and enrichment funding through compliant, turnkey music and arts programs.

How This Hub Helps School & District Leaders

This resource hub is designed for California administrators, coordinators, and district teams seeking clear, compliant guidance on using Prop 28 and ELOP to support music and arts education.

Quick Start Resources

Prop 28 & ELOP

From Prop 28 Funding to the First Day of Class: How We Build the Right Music Program for Your School

Prop 28 gives California public schools an important opportunity to expand arts and music education. But receiving a Prop 28 allocation is only the beginning. Schools still need to determine what students need, which type of music program will work on campus, how...
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What Happens When Prop 28 Funding Exists but the Instructor Doesn’t?

Your school has received Prop 28 funding. Students are interested in music. Administrators are ready to expand arts education. There is just one problem: the school cannot find the right instructor. This is one of the biggest challenges California schools face when...
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The Prop 28 Staffing Bottleneck: How Turn-Key Music Partnerships Save District Budgets and Bandwidth

August is often when a district’s arts education plans meet operational reality. The funding may be available. School leaders may already know which music programs students and families want. Yet launching those programs requires more than approving a budget....
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Prop 28 Planning Checklist: What Administrators Should Have in Place Before the School Year Starts

Before the school year starts, school administrators should have a clear Prop 28 plan in place for funding, staffing, vendors, materials, program goals, student access, documentation, and reporting. Prop 28 funding gives California schools a major opportunity to...
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Can Prop 28 Funds Be Used for Marching Band Programs?

Yes, Prop 28 funds may be used for marching band programs when the program directly supports arts or music education and aligns with the district’s approved Prop 28 expenditure plan. For many California school districts, marching band is more than a performance...
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What Types of Vendors Qualify for Prop 28 Funding?

School districts can use Prop 28 funds for certain vendors, but the vendor must directly support arts or music education and fit within the program’s allowable spending categories. For many districts, this creates an important question: What types of vendors actually...
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Prop 28 Planning Checklist: What Administrators Should Have in Place Before the School Year Starts

Prop 28 has created a major opportunity for California schools to expand access to arts and music education. But for school administrators, successful implementation starts long before the first class begins. Before the school year starts, school leaders need a clear...
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Why Schools Are Struggling to Hire Teachers for Prop 28 And What to Do About It

When California passed Prop 28, schools across the state gained something many educators had been advocating for years: Dedicated funding for arts and music education. But as districts began expanding programs, a major challenge quickly emerged: There are not enough...
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You Received Prop 28 Funding… Now What? A Step-by-Step Implementation Guide

For many schools across California, receiving Prop 28 funding was a major milestone. After years of limited arts access, schools finally have dedicated funding to expand music, visual arts, dance, theater, media arts, and other enrichment opportunities for students....
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Why Some Prop 28 Programs Will Fail (And How Schools Can Avoid It)

When California passed Prop 28, many schools finally saw an opportunity to expand access to music, arts, and enrichment programs for students. But receiving funding is only the beginning. The real challenge is building a program that schools can actually sustain...
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About After School Music Academy

At After School Music Academy, we partner with schools and districts across California to design and deliver compliant, high-quality music and arts programs funded through Prop 28 and ELOP. Known for our turnkey approach, we make it easy for educators to expand creative learning without adding administrative load — from credentialed instructors to ready-to-launch enrichment classes that align with state standards.

If your district is looking to build or strengthen its arts programs, our team can help you plan, staff, and implement a program that meets compliance and truly inspires students.

Chat With Our Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How much funding does each district receive under Prop 28?

Prop 28 allocates 1% of California’s annual K–12 education budget directly to arts and music education. Funding amounts are determined by student enrollment — with 70% based on total enrollment and 30% based on the percentage of low-income students.
Each district receives its allocation directly and must use at least 80% for staffing (credentialed arts educators).

What can Prop 28 funds be spent on?

Funds can be used for:

  • Hiring or expanding qualified music instructors

  • Purchasing instruments, equipment, or supplies

  • Supporting arts integration and professional development
    Districts must maintain a clear accounting trail showing that 80% went to staff and 20% to materials or program support.

Do unspent Prop 28 funds roll over?

Yes, but with rules.
Unspent Prop 28 funds can carry over to the next fiscal year as long as they remain in a restricted account and are used only for arts education. Districts should document why funds were unspent and how they’ll be used later (e.g., hiring delays or facility readiness).

    What’s the difference between ELOP and Prop 28?

    Districts must maintain:

    • A board-approved spending plan

    • Expense tracking that separates Prop 28 funds

    • Annual reports showing fund use and staff hired

    • Evidence of stakeholder consultation (teachers, parents, community)

    Can charter or private schools receive Prop 28 funding?

    Yes, charter schools receive funding directly based on their student enrollment.
    Private schools do not qualify, since Prop 28 applies only to public education funding.

    How can districts find compliant arts program partners or vendors?

    Districts can partner with Prop 28-compliant education vendors to deliver programs, provided:

    • The vendor’s staff meet credential or instructional requirements

    • The program aligns with Visual & Performing Arts (VAPA) standards

    • Funding documentation is maintained by the district

    How can districts find compliant arts program partners or vendors?

    Districts can partner with Prop 28-compliant education vendors to deliver programs, provided:

    • The vendor’s staff meet credential or instructional requirements

    • The program aligns with Visual & Performing Arts (VAPA) standards

    • Funding documentation is maintained by the district

    Why This Hub Exists

    We created this Resource Hub to make it easier for California educators to navigate Prop 28 and ELOP funding without the jargon or guesswork.Our goal is simple: help schools bring more creativity into the classroom, through compliant, sustainable, and joyful arts programs.

    Build Your Arts Program

    Dr. Suzuki’s
    Philosophy On Music

    A major inspiration behind the founding of After School Music Academy is Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, a renowned music educator who believed that every child has the potential to learn and love music—just like they learn to speak their first language.

    Dr. Suzuki’s “Mother Tongue” approach encourages introducing music to children at a young age, with caring and supportive instructors guiding the way. His philosophy is simple but powerful: kids thrive when they’re taught with love and encouragement. He also believed that music is more than just learning notes—it’s about teaching compassion, empathy, and a deep connection to the art.

    Unlike the idea that musical talent is a rare gift, Dr. Suzuki believed that every child has the ability to grow their musical skills through practice and guidance. This belief is at the heart of what we do at After School Music Academy. We aim to nurture confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of music in every student—because we believe that music has the power to shape not just musicians, but compassionate humans, too.

    MUSIC
    Yadiel Casillas
    Arsh Sood
    David Loving
    Peter Petro
    Sonya Wallace
    Kian Stevens-Winston
    Pedro Hernandez
    Cole Brightbill
    Frankie DeRosa
    Tracey Singleton
    Stephanie Finch
    Daniel Alvarenga
    David Wallace
    Anna Lichtenberg
    Sheena Dhamsania
    Austin Jenkins
    Melanie Reynolds
    Erkin Abdulla
    William Dai
    Dror Marko
    Leon Le
    Enrique Lopez
    Justin Nash Fisher
    Ryan Gaughan
    Jesse Griffith
    Pam Severns
    Jorge Sias
    Mathew Jones
    Julie Marner
    Jacob Justus Men
    Class Info
    DRUMS/PERCUSSION
    Miguel Saldana
    Lisa Marie Maestos
    David Wallace
    Class Info
    GUITAR
    Harry Simmons
    John Henry Bradshaw
    Class Info
    HIP-HOP/DANCE
    Kirstin Bangs
    Jiyoung Kim
    Yvette Vazquez
    Kamryn Chadwick
    Victoria Nguyen
    Miria Nicoll
    Holly Sood-Diehl
    Sandrine Bouton
    Cassi Coleman
    Rolleen Myers
    Shira Colliander
    Class Info
    MARTIAL ARTS
    Amber Alonso
    Pedro Baumfeld
    David Duran
    Tylea Fuhrmann
    Julian Scarbrough-Wilner
    Vince Tran
    Casey Ryan
    Jay Lopez
    Ozer Ozturk
    Class Info
    PIANO
    Ann Tung
    Doris Harry
    Rachel Phillips
    John Henry Bradshaw
    Harry Simmons
    Somesh Das
    Susan Jackson
    Jon Yonts
    Class Info
    THEATER
    Bianca Alvarez
    Class Info
    YOGA
    Ellie Ghadimi
    Class Info