Interesting aside:

a representative of the Dutch ministry of education (I think it's
actually the ministry of education, science, and culture) recently
visited the US to research museum-school relationships.  Her impression
is that U.S. museums are pioneers in this field, and that the status of
education in the U.S. museum is probably higher than anywhere else.  The
ministry is currently considering plans to integrate museums and other
"heritage" resources into school programming.

If I can add an observation -- I think that the perceived lack of status
for museum educators is probably more apparent than real.  In any case,
the question might be expanded to encompass "status" in the community, not
just in the museum.  Museum educators are much more likely to be the
public face of the institution than anyone else, and thus the most highly
valued.

Andy Finch
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AAM Government Affairs

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