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Overview
Every
state needs to document challenges and opportunities for international
studies as it exists within its borders. What are are our states' relationships
with other parts of the world? What standards,curriculum materials,
textbooks, teacher resources and program already exist? Where are states'
strengths and weaknesses in international affairs? What are colleges,
businesses, community groups and government doing to prepare the next
generation of internationally competent citizens? Statewide assessment
of where international education stands can provide a much-needed foundation
to which to build a network of stakeholders and model programs.
Five
states have released state reports on international education in the
schools:
Delaware
In August 2004, Delaware released the Report
on the Delaware K-12 International Education Capacity Study
(76-page PDF). Over the course of two years, several
state and higher education agencies collected information from the K-12
and higher education sectors, including formal reports, focus groups
and surveys. The key findings include that despite for the urgent need
for international education in schools, two out of three schools report
that necessary resources are either inadequate or nonexistent. The report's
aim was to understand the international education obstacles as well
as opportunites in the state, and ultimately, to devise a plan to disseminate
promising models.
PROJECT
DIRECTOR
Shuhan C. Wang
Education Associate, World Languages
Delaware Department of Education
PO Box 1402 State of Delaware
Dover, DE 19903-1402
v: 302-739-4885 | f: 302-739-7645
e: swang@doe.k12.de.us
Massachusetts
On
December 5, 2003 the Massachusetts Initiative for International Studies
(MIIS) convened a conference for leaders in education, business and
public affairs on the subject of Massachusetts:
Education for a Global Economy (48-page PDF).
MIIS was organized in response to a nation-wide call by the National
Coalition on Asia and International Studies in the Schools to make international
studies an essential part of K-12 education, in order to equip graduates
to live and work in an interdependent world and global economy.
The
conference brought together 195 educational,business and political affairs
leaders to examine the case for international studies within the broader
contexts of national priorities and Massachusetts education reform.
PROJECT
DIRECTOR
Kathleen
Ennis
Executive Director
Primary Source
125 Walnut St., Suite 201
Watertown, MA 02472
v: (617) 923-9933 | f: (617) 923-0975
e: kathy@primarysource.org
Michigan
The
Michigan Asia in the Schools Report (51-page
PDF) resulted
when then-Governor John Engler appointed the first state Commission
on Asia in the Schools in 2002 to review what Michigan students learn
about Asia and recommend changes in state policies and practices. Following
up on the commission's recommendations, the Michigan Department of Education,
University of Michigan, Michigan State University and various local
school districts have committed to further programs of international
education throughout the state. Michigan is developing corporate and
foundation partnership strategies to tap into the substantial public
and private resources available in the state.
Vermont
The Governor's Council on International Education
in Vermont had its first meeting in February, during which Governor
Jim Douglas charged the body: to assess the status of international
education in Vermont schools, to identify the best practices in international
education, and to make policy recommendations on international education
to the Legislature, the State Board of Education, the State Department
of Education, and other organizations. Their recommendations were collected
and published as a report that included public opinion, teacher preparation
and school data. The report, International
Education Benefits Vermont's Children, was released in the fall
of 2004.
PROJECT
DIRECTOR
Juefei Wang
Director
Asian Studies Outreach Program
University of Vermont
479 Main Street
Burlington, VT 05405
v: 802-656-7985 | f: 802-656-8472
e: jwang@uvm.edu
West
Virginia
The
West Virginia Governor's Commission on International Education released
its report, Preparing A Citizenry
for the Global Age (24-page PDF), in March
2004. The report documents the need for international education in the
state, current programs and models, and strategic recommendations to
improve public awareness, use of technology, world language study and
institutional partnerships K-16. West Virginia has also established
a Governor's Summer Institute and administers the Cyrus
Vance Award for International Education.
PROJECT
DIRECTOR
Jay Cole
Deputy Secretary of Education and the Arts
West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts
Office of the Secretary
Building 5, Room 205
State Capitol Complex
Charleston, WV 25305
v: 304-558-2440
| f: 304-558-1311
e: jcole@wvgov.org
1
The Michigan
Asia in the Schools report was released in 2002.
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