How After School Music Academy Can Help Your District Navigate Them
Proposition 28 — the Arts and Music in Schools Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act — brings a major opportunity for California schools to reinvest in creativity, culture, and student expression. But with new funding comes new responsibility, and districts across the state are navigating complex challenges in turning dollars into sustainable, impactful programs.
Here’s a look at the most pressing obstacles — and how After School Music Academy can help your school or district address them.
1. Uncertainty Around Compliance and Spending Rules
Many administrators are still asking: What exactly can Prop 28 funds be used for?
The proposition states that 80% of funds must go toward hiring credentialed arts educators, while up to 20% may be used for materials, supplies, and professional development
(source: California Legislative Analyst’s Office).
But gray areas persist:
- Can we use the funds for current staff?
- Does music production count as an arts course?
- Can we fund after-school arts programs?
The California Department of Education has issued Prop 28 implementation guidance (CDE Resource Page), but many districts still need help applying it to real-world decisions.
2. Staffing Shortages and Credentialing Gaps
Even with funding in hand, many schools struggle to find credentialed arts educators to fill new roles — especially in underserved or rural communities.
Efforts are underway to improve non-traditional pathways to teaching credentials (source: EdSource), but these pipelines take time.
Some schools have turned to part-time teaching artists or community partners — only to realize they don’t meet Prop 28’s credentialing requirements.
3. Using Funds to Supplement, Not Supplant
A core tenet of Prop 28 is that it must supplement, not replace existing arts education. However, some districts are under fire for doing just that.
In early 2025, LAUSD was sued by former Superintendent (and Prop 28 author) Austin Beutner for allegedly using over $76 million of Prop 28 funds to cover existing salaries instead of expanding programs
(source: ABC7 Los Angeles).
This controversy has sent a clear message: schools must be transparent and compliant in how they spend this funding.
4. Infrastructure and Equipment Limitations
Many schools simply aren’t equipped for arts education — they lack:
- Dedicated classroom space
- Functional instruments or supplies
- Storage or acoustic-ready environments
Since only 20% of Prop 28 funds can be used for materials, these infrastructure gaps can stall or limit program development — even with new staff in place.
5. Lack of Central Leadership or Planning
Prop 28 doesn’t come with a one-size-fits-all model, so districts must build their own implementation plans, including:
- Hiring staff
- Selecting curriculum
- Planning professional development
- Ensuring compliance and reporting
Some districts have designated VAPA coordinators to lead this work — but many have not, leaving overwhelmed principals or admin teams to piece together arts programs from scratch.
6. Underutilized Community Partnerships
California is rich with local arts organizations and teaching artists — but many districts don’t have systems in place to identify, vet, and contract with these partners.
This leads to missed opportunities for high-quality, culturally relevant programming — particularly for schools with limited internal capacity.
How After School Music Academy Can Help
After School Music Academy (ASMA) is built to solve the exact problems that schools and districts face with Prop 28 implementation.
Whether your biggest challenge is staffing, curriculum, or compliance — we’re here to help you turn that Prop 28 funding into a thriving, fully compliant music program.
✔️ Music Educators Ready to Teach
We provide fully vetted, credentialed teaching artists who specialize in modern, engaging music programs aligned with California VAPA standards.
✔️ Turnkey, Compliant Programs
ASMA handles the curriculum, credentialing, scheduling, and reporting — all designed to meet Prop 28 requirements.
✔️ Custom Implementation Support
We’ll work with your admin team to develop an arts education plan that fits your needs — whether that’s in-school instruction, after-school enrichment, or both.
✔️ Support for Underserved Schools
Our programs are especially designed to serve low-income and high-need communities — ensuring equity and access in arts education.
Take the Stress Out of Prop 28 Implementation
Prop 28 is an exciting opportunity — but you don’t have to navigate it alone.
With After School Music Academy as your partner, you’ll have everything you need to build a compliant, inspiring, and sustainable music program for your students.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What challenges are schools facing with Prop 28 implementation?
Many districts are struggling with unclear compliance rules, staffing shortages, infrastructure limitations, and a lack of centralized planning. Prop 28 provides powerful funding, but turning it into sustainable programs requires strategic support.
2. Can we use Prop 28 funds to pay current staff?
Only if the funds are used to expand arts instruction — not to replace existing salaries. Prop 28 must be used to supplement, not supplant, current programs.
3. What if we can’t find credentialed arts teachers?
If a good faith effort to hire credentialed teachers is unsuccessful, your district can apply for a waiver through the California Department of Education. With an approved waiver, you may work with qualified vendors like ASMA.
4. Can Prop 28 funds be used for after-school music programs?
Yes, especially when paired with ELOP funding. Prop 28 supports instruction by credentialed educators, whether during the school day or in expanded learning hours.
5. How much of the budget can be used for instruments and equipment?
Up to 20% of Prop 28 funding may be allocated toward materials, supplies, instruments, and equipment needed to support your program.
6. What if our school doesn’t have a dedicated arts space?
ASMA specializes in bringing flexible, mobile, and accessible music programming to schools — even those without a music room. We help schools work within their current space and infrastructure limitations.
7. How does After School Music Academy ensure compliance?
We provide credentialed educators, curriculum aligned with VAPA standards, and transparent reporting that aligns with state requirements — helping districts stay fully compliant with Prop 28 rules.
8. Can ASMA help with planning and implementation?
Absolutely. We offer custom implementation support, helping districts build and execute a compliant, impactful arts plan — from staffing to curriculum to logistics.