A well-rounded education might start with language and math, science and history. But it is not complete without the arts, and on that score too many California schoolchildren are getting shortchanged.

Only one in five California schools currently has a full-time, accredited arts or music teacher. Proposition 28 seeks to change that. The measure would require that the state set aside an estimated $1 billion to fund arts and music education in schools across the state...

As a general rule, California voters agree that, even in tough times, education spending has to remain a top priority. In 1998, voters ratified Proposition 98, which mandated that, at a minimum, roughly 40% of California’s budget has to go to schools and community colleges each year.

Voters can take a meaningful step to help millions of California children by voting yes on Proposition 28 on the Nov. 8 ballot, which will guarantee an ongoing source of funding to support arts and music education in all public and charter schools, from preschool to 12th grade.

Prop. 28 would require California to set aside a share of its revenue for arts and education classes. CalMatters reporter Joe Hong explains Prop. 28 in 1 minute.

Proposition 28 on the Nov. 8 ballot would require California to set aside an annual source of funding from its general fund for K-12 public schools for arts and music education.

All budgets are about priorities, including school district budgets. Occasionally, California voters disagree with budget priorities strongly enough to put a measure on the ballot that engages in what politicians ruefully call “ballot-box budgeting.”

“Teachers, families and the entire school community recognize how much this effort will benefit every child in public schools in California,” Beutner said. “Together, we can create a brighter future for public school children and make sure the workforce in media, technology and entertainment better reflect the diversity in our schools.”

The California Secretary of State’s Office has made it official: There will be seven propositions on the ballot this November. Proposition 28 would provide additional funding for arts and music education in public schools, including charter schools, by allocating from the state general fund an amount equaling 1% of required state and local funding for public schools.

Extra school funding for arts and music: Sponsored by former Los Angeles Unified School District superintendent Austin Beutner, this measure would require the state to set aside a share of its public school funding — likely between $800 million to $1 billion per year — for arts and education classes. The new money would be disproportionately reserved for schools with many low-income students to hire new arts staff.