ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions. ***************************************************************************** Dear Colleagues: I am a member of the governing board for the National Assessment of Educational Progress, the US Department of Education's "National Report Card," measuring what US students know and can do in various subjects. We are introducing a new science test this year, and have contracted with ACT to set the standards for achievement levels on this test. Below is an invitation to nominate yourself, or one of your colleagues, to serve on a panel which will recommend the levels to be used. This work will involve going to one meeting, all travel expenses paid. You'll meet a variety of professionals from many fields, and help develop this important measure of the nation's science education. Please read the invitation below, and join us in this work if you can. Alan **************************************************** Alan J. Friedman, Ph.D. Consultant Museum Development and Science Communication 29 West 10th Street New York, New York 10011 USA T +1 917 882-6671 F +1 212 673-2279 E [log in to unmask] ACT needs your help in identifying science professionals to help set national science standards. The National Assessment Governing Board awarded a contract to ACT in September 2008 to set achievement levels for the 2009 science NAEP at grades 4, 8, and 12. Part of this initiative involves finding people to serve on the NAEP science achievement levels panels to recommend cut scores for three levels of achievement. The standard setting panels will include science teachers and other educators; however, the Governing Board also requires that about one-third of the panel represent the general public. ACT could use your assistance in identifying potential panelists who use science training in their daily work. More specifically, these science-related backgrounds can include life science, physical science, and earth or space sciences. Specific occupations might include: engineers (e.g., chemical, environmental, civil), environmental planners, medical professionals (e.g., doctors, nurses, chiropractors, pharmacists, veterinarians, nutritionists), scientists (e.g., forensic, marine, earth, soil conservation, space). Educators who are not in a typical classroom setting, such as museum educators, would also be considered general public representatives. For detailed guidelines and information regarding our standard setting meetings as well as more information on expenses and panelists' responsibilities, please visit our website (www.act.org/naepscience). *********************************************************************** For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org. Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org. The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html. To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to [log in to unmask]