Saving high school music programs

While travelling, I read many newspapers and one of them had an article about high school music programs and how they are in danger: "How to enliven-and save-high school music programs". In the United States the number of children receiving any arts education decreased by 21% from 1992 to 2008. Part of this would be because of the change in focus based on testing because of the No Child Left Behind program which has increased focus on testing. Another important point is that instruments are expensive. Interestingly, one of the points that seems to connect with people is that music only reaches a small portion of the students. However, this ignores the fact that other subjects that are optional do not reach everyone for example: visual art, family studies, languages.
The main disconnect is the focus on training students to become professional musicians. Why is this a problem? No one suggests that the art teacher should not be training students to go on and study further? Their supplies are not cheap either. I have been to the visual arts department, it is pricey. Family studies has expensive equipment.
There must be other reasons. Will have to investigate further.