Michael Lach, Director of STEM Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Appointed to National Research Council’s Board on Science Education

Michael Lach, director of STEM Policy and Strategic Initiatives at the University of Chicago, has been appointed to the National Research Council’s Board on Science Education. Lach will join in its efforts to improve science education in the U.S. at all levels.

Lach stated, "It's a real honor to be appointed to the National Research Council's Board on Science Education. I'm looking forward to adding my perspective to the ambitious research agenda the Board has planned, and helping their efforts align with broader educational improvement efforts."

At the University, Lach directs the work related to the 100Kin10 initiative as a joint effort of the University of Chicago Urban Education Institute (UEI) and the Center for Elementary Mathematics and Science Center. 100Kin10 is a growing alliance of more than 115 leading public, private, and non-profit organizations that have committed to strategically addressing the nation’s shortage of STEM teachers and improving STEM learning for all students by training 100,000 excellent science, technology engineering, and mathematics teachers in the next 10 years. The University of Chicago is developing a learning infrastructure for the 100Kin10 efforts, to drive the (1) improvement of 100Kin10 partner programs, (2) effectiveness of the 100Kin10 movement at large, and (3) expansion of empirical knowledge about what aspects of teacher recruitment, preparation, and support matter most.

Prior to joining the University of Chicago, Lach was special assistant to the Secretary of Education at the U.S. Department of Education. Before his work in D.C., Lach directed the Office of Teaching and Learning for Chicago Public Schools.