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Special STEM Edition: International Education in the Schools Newsletter



International Education in the Schools		Asia Society's monthly digest of news and events in K-12 international education. March 2007

U.S. competitiveness, STEM, globalization, technology -- these are all buzzwords across the country. While the focus has mainly been on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), increasingly the need for global knowledge and skills is being linked to these skills. This special edition highlights the new initiatives that integrate international education into STEM (STEM/International). For more information on reports and initiatives mentioned in this newsletter, plus ideas on how to integrate international knowledge and skills into STEM initiatives, visit the new Global Competitiveness webpage on Internationaled.org.

In this issue

	State Spotlight: Michigan Capitol Hill Competitiveness States Lead the Way on STEM NASA Summit Examines Global Skills for Scientists Grants and Opportunities

Capitol Hill Competitiveness

Competitiveness was a common theme on Capitol Hill last year and is gaining momentum again this year. President Bush announced in his State of the Union address that competitiveness of American students is a critical challenge faced by the nation. On March 14 Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings in testimony to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education on the President's American Competitiveness Initiative said, "Increasing the number of Americans who speak foreign languages also is essential to ensuring competitiveness in the global economy, and to national security in the global war on terrorism."

New legislation by a bipartisan group of senators was unveiled on March 5. The America COMPETES Act is based on recommendations from the "Rising Above the Gathering Storm," report as well as legislation introduced in 2006 (PACE Act and the National Competitiveness Investment Acts). This new legislation aims to strengthen educational opportunities in STEM subjects and critical foreign languages from elementary through graduate school, increase research investment, and develop an innovation infrastructure.

Federal Legislation »

States Lead the Way on STEM

The National Governors Association Winter Meeting held in February, included a discussion of the creation of a competitive global economy through STEM. A new federal policy framework to assist states in developing competitiveness initiatives was released. Proposals focused on three areas including: Math, Science, and Foreign Language proficiency. The NGA also announced the availability of state grants to engage in K-12 STEM education redesign. For more information on these NGA initiatives, click here.

Governors stressed global competition over competition with neighboring states in their state of the state addresses. In fact 24 Governors directly linked improving education with staying globally competitive. Three, Governor Pawlenty of Minnesota, Governor Napolitano of Arizona, and Governor Manchin of West Virginia, mentioned international skills, specifically world languages, as part of this strategy. Governor Pawlenty announced his World-Class Students initiative, which would require students in grades 7-12 to take four years of a world language. His plan would also strengthen teacher training in math, science, and world languages. Governor Napolitano introduced her One Arizona Education Initiative, which would strengthen math and science requirements and "provide specialized environments for students who are especially gifted or just especially interested in particular areas of study - like...language."

States have launched a new school reform model: STEM/International schools. Arizona Superintendent of Education Tom Horne, in his State of Education address, announced legislation to fund a network of pilot international studies schools "emphasizing oral or written fluency in foreign languages, knowledge of global history, knowledge of international business and relevant skills such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics." In Texas, STEM academies, which incorporate a global perspective into the curriculum, are already opening across the state, with 35 scheduled by 2008-09.

Ohio hopes to reintroduce an initiative this year to start a network of STEM schools. Ohio Core, an initiative of the Governor to increase high school requirements in STEM and foreign language subjects for college admission, is being reviewed. To support this initiative, ten higher education institutions were given funds in January, to develop STEM and Foreign Language Academies for students entering 11th and 12th grades.

State Initiatives »

NASA Summit Examines Global Skills for Scientists

In January, NASA gathered together a group of educators, policymakers, students and government officials to form a new educational framework and partnerships to prepare students to succeed in the 21st century. Emphasizing not just STEM skills, but also skills to enable students to work on global teams, NASA sought to create partnerships with schools, industry, government, nonprofit and community-based organizations. These stakeholders will meet throughout the year at NASA's regional centers in a series of "Futures Panels." The panels will inform a report to NASA to help shape its new initiatives to prepare students for the global age.

NASA Education Partnership Summit »

Grants and Opportunities

There are many opportunities for students and teachers of Chinese this summer. For more information, see our Chinese language newsletter. Click here.

2007 AP Annual Conference Scholarship for Teachers of Japanese: The College Board is making scholarships available to teachers of Japanese interested in attending the 2007 AP Annual Conference in Las Vegas, NV from July 11-15. Apply by April 15. Click here.

National FLES Institute of Texas: FLES (foreign language in the elementary school) teachers, program administrators and foreign language supervisors from across the country are invited to this annual professional development institute on June 25 - 29 in Dallas, TX. Click here.

State Spotlight: Michigan

One state that knows the harsh realities of global competitiveness all too well is Michigan. At the heart of Michigan's plan to reshape its economy is revamping the education system to prepare students for work in a global economy, according to Governor Granholm's 2008 budget proposal. This is not a new initiative for Michigan, in 2004, the Michigan State Board of Education issued a position statement supporting international education. And in 2006 the Michigan legislature approved new high school graduation requirements, designed for the 21st Century student. Included are two credits of a world language, an online learning experience and a full complement of math, science, and English.

On March 6 of this year, Michigan State University hosted a conference, Preparing Our Students for a Place in the World: Internationalizing Michigan Education, co-sponsored by the Education Alliance of Michigan and Michigan Department of Education. Attracting participants from education, business and policy, the conference aimed to help Michigan learn to compete in an international context. Interactive breakout sessions included resources for establishing international perspectives at the district and school levels. One initiative highlighted was the new online Chinese class created by the Michigan State University Confucius Institute and offered through the Michigan Virtual University. As most high schools are unable to offer Chinese because of a lack of teachers, this course will allow any student in the state access to instruction. As students progress more sections are added.

Michigan





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