February 2008 — News
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Chicago Public Schools Partners with Freedom Center for Distance Learning
Extra Credit Slavery is not just part of America's distant history. It's estimated that, worldwide, there are some 10 million to 30 million human beings held in slavery today, with some 15,000 to 20,000 human slaves trafficked into the United States each year. Teachers who would like to bring a contemporary (and emotional) tie into their history lessons can find several resources on the Freedom Center's site, including links to activist organizations, educational materials, and other resources.
--D. Nagel |
Students in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will be learning about slavery--both historical and contemporary--through a new electronic learning initiative in the district. CPS has partnered with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center for an educational program that combines distance learning technologies with digital media. The program, funded by Ariel Mutual Funds, focuses on slavery in the United States and around the world.
The Freedom Center is a museum and organization that provides resources on historical and contemporary slavery. Through the partnership with the Chicago Public Schools, the Freedom Center will supplying electronic learning materials to CPS teachers digitally for classroom instruction.
"We find our students are eager for content that is pertinent in their lives today and they respond best when that content is presented dynamically," said Arne Duncan, CEO of Chicago Public Schools, in a statement released Friday. "Our students are energized and demonstrate solid academic results when we offer them curriculum in changing and creative formats. There is no limit to how this partnership with the Freedom Center could expand to all of our students within our system. And there is no limit to the impact it will have in their academic lives, and importantly in their everyday out-of-the-classroom lives as well."
