Can all these things be built into a formal certification preparation program? Can they be verified through testing or practicum? ------ Robert Handy Brazoria County Historical Museum museum_bob [log in to unmask] http://www.bchm.org ---------- From: Kathrine L Walker[SMTP:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, June 25, 1998 9:25 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: AAM, accreditation, etc. (long rebuttal) I have to agree with Matthew White on the accreditation of museum professionals issues. One of the things that makes museums responsive to their public is the fact that their employees come from diverse backgrounds. It is this unique blend of experise in surprising combinations that make some of the best museums. While I came from a museum studies program, some of the best people I have worked with have not - and there are still many people in the profession who started before the days of wide-spread museum studies programs. Apprenticeships, prior life experiences, etc. often make great museum professionals. On the other hand, I think that increased numbers of programs for people in the profession on the latest techniques/technologies/ideologies is important. I think that musuems themselves should be held to professional standards and also think that the museum disciplines should set professional guidelines for its practioners - e.g. The booklet published by EdCOM on Professional Standards for Museum Education (note education, not educators, taking into account that all staff members should be addressing the issue of education in one way or another). Kathrine Walker Schlageck Education and Public Programs Beach Museum of Art Kansas State University