NBC launched Education Nation Summit last September at New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza. The weeklong program received criticism for reporting only one view of education reforms. NBC clarified that Education Nation was not a news program, but an initiative.
The news organization said it wanted to go beyond reporting and initiate a public dialogue with government leaders, business leaders, teachers, and parents about America’s education challenges. President of NBC News, Steve Capus, said, “We recognize that education is a deeply debated topic, with many facets and viewpoints, seldom with a single ‘right’ answer.”
For 2011 Education Nation expanded its reach with on-the-road events in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. This week the road show is in Chicago. The Education Nation Experience Exhibit at Chicago's Pioneer Plaza in front of NBC Studio is open to the public from Monday, May 2 through Saturday, May 7. It promises to inform visitors about the state of education in America.
Inside the exhibit three walls feature long white-tiled video screens that replay dynamic 5-8 minute videos.
The first video wall’s topic deals with the global achievement gap and America’s mediocre ranking on international achievement tests, persistently high drop out rates and stagnant college graduation rates. Clips of Sec. Arne Duncan, AFT President, Randi Weingarten and Harlem Children Zone CEO, Geoffrey Canada make their concerns known. The message is that America needs to compete globally and the facts show that our education system doesn't compare well to most industrialized nations.
The second video wall covers technology and the essential skills needed in the 21st century workforce. The message is we need to upgrade our education system if America wants to compete for the jobs of the future.
The third video wall tells the story of education reform in New Orleans, New York City, and Long Beach. It describes improvements in these school system's test scores and graduation rates to show that better results can be achieved.
Running through the center of the exhibit is a row of small video screens each with two headphones. These interactive touch screen kiosks provide additional information about racial, ethnic, class, and gender achievement gaps.
For parents wanting a good summary of the argument that global competitiveness should drive education reform, the exhibit covers the ground. There’s little that would appeal to children. But for students 7th grade and above, even though the style suits adults more than teens, the exhibit could make an impression about their future and inspire a greater desire to do well in school.
Background Information:
PCM Core Article: The Global Achievement Gap
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