ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Dear Colleagues,
 
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation, adopted by congress in 2001,
was a federal response to lagging academic performance by American
students. The legislation attempted to improve the quality of education
for all children while simultaneously closing the achievement gap
between lower and upper income students. Among other things, NCLB
legislation imposed tighter academic standards and placed greater
emphasis on standardized testing--specifically on math, science, and
literacy skills. While the legislation has had some notable successes,
it has also been met with widespread dissatisfaction. Although classroom
teachers and school administrators have been most affected by NCLB, many
museum educators have also reported changes both positively and
negatively in museum visitation and program participation by schools as
a direct result of the legislation. Seven years later, as Congress
considers reauthorizing the bill, museums have yet to get a firm grasp
on how they have been affected by this landmark legislation or how they
might use the legislation to benefit their institutions and the
communities they serve. To further the conversation about NCLB, the
Midwest Region of EdCom in partnership with the Association of Midwest
Museums is presenting a day long seminar called No Museum Left Behind:
Museum Educators Respond to NCLB Legislation. The program will be held
at the Loyola University Museum of Art on Friday, March 14, 2008.
Participants in the program will leave the seminar with a firm
understanding of NCLB legislation mandates, learn ways they can adapt
existing programs to meet state and national standards, and discover
ideas how to create new programming that fulfils NCLB requirements.
 
Because the conversation is still new, Midwest EdCom and the McCormick
Tribune Freedom Museum have prepared a short survey for museum educators
about their experiences and attitudes toward NCLB. Please take a few
moments to fill out this short survey and forward the link along to your
fellow museum educators 
http://mccormickfoundation.org/Lists/No%20Child%20Left%20Behind/NewForm.
aspx?Source=http%3A%2F%2Fmccormickfoundation%2Eorg%2FLists%2FNo%2520Chil
d%2520Left%2520Behind%2Foverview%2Easpx. Results of the survey will be
shared at the No Museum Left Behind  seminar and then distributed
publicly shortly thereafter. 
 
Thank you for your time and help.
 
Kind regards,
 
Nathan Richie
 
Nathan Richie

Director of Exhibits and Programs

McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum

Chicago, IL

(312) 222-3211

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