NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- From the creation of internationally themed high schools to expanding Chinese language instruction to using the internet to offer international courses or connect their schools to others around the world, elected and educational officials from leading states throughout the country have sparked a growing international education movement, according to a new report released by Asia Society.
The study, titled "States Prepare for the Global Age," written by Edward B. Fiske, former Education Editor for "The New York Times," documents state initiatives to increase students' global knowledge and skills. The study can be found at: www.internationaled.org/statespreparefortheglobalage.htm
The states profiled in the report include: Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The release of the report comes on the heels of a first-of-its kind summit of U.S. university presidents in Washington, D.C. earlier this month, co-hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Education Secretary Margaret Spelling, and First Lady Laura Bush, on how the U.S. can better prepare students to be globally competitive through language skills and an enhanced focus on international education.
"Business, education and political leaders are grappling with the question of how to produce workers and citizens who can remain competitive in a world that seems to be shrinking before our very eyes," said Vivien Stewart, Vice President of Asia Society.
Until recently, the need for international education and language skills has not been part of the debate over education standards, which has focused on mastering basic skills in reading, math and science. But a new trend is emerging as policy and business leaders focus attention on the link between their state's economy and international trade, and the growing demand for workers who can approach problems with a broad worldview. Already, one in five American jobs is tied to international trade, and markets in other countries offer the greatest growth potential for U.S. companies. U.S. trade with Asia now equals over $800 billion a year, and the exponential growth of China and India requires a purposeful education response.
In 2001-2002, Asia Society and National Geographic released separate studies showing that U.S. students lack sufficient knowledge about other world regions, languages and cultures and are in danger of being educationally and economically handicapped in an increasingly interconnected and global economy. The new report confirms these findings and devises action steps to align the content of K-12 school curriculum and the knowledge and skills that students will need to function as workers and citizens in the globally interconnected world of the twenty-first century.
Since the survey research was completed, the 17 states highlighted in the new report have devised new initiatives to promote global literacy:
-- Eleven states have conducted statewide "audits" examining
the status of international education. A dozen have held
summits to raise awareness about the importance of
international education. Six have issued task force
reports requested by their governor or legislature on
the issue
-- Ten states have passed state legislation or board of
education policies to promote international education.
-- Some have launched systematic statewide initiatives that
include new curricular standards, teacher professional
development programs and investments in technology --
initiatives that potentially touch every school in the
state
-- Pioneering states are developing model programs including
internationally themed schools, virtual high schools that
teach Asian languages and exchange programs
The report recommends four policy goals for all 50 states to pursue in the next three years:
-- Expansion of teacher training to deliver rigorous study in
world history, geography, global science and economics -- key
subjects in a transformed economy
-- Development of world languages pipelines from primary school
on, especially focused on critical languages such as Chinese
-- High school redesign and new graduation requirements to
motivate better achievement and promote key international
knowledge and skills
-- Innovative uses of technology to expand the availability of
international courses and assure that every school in the
U.S. has ongoing virtual links to peers in another country
Examples of local educational models in each state are also documented in the report. The schools were identified through the Goldman Sachs Foundation Prizes for Excellence in International Education competition, a national initiative which has drawn over 500 applications from schools nationwide since its inception in 2003.
"In order to promote economic opportunities that will make our nation safer and more prosperous, every student will need a solid grounding of knowledge about the history of the U.S. and our vital democratic institutions. But we must also integrate knowledge of world history, geography, science and technology, world languages, literature and international affairs into the school day," said John Engler, President of the National Association of Manufacturers.
About Asia Society
Asia Society is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening relationships and deepening understanding among the peoples of Asia and the United States. The Society operates cultural, policy, business, social issues, and education programs. Through its Asia and International Studies in the Schools initiative, Asia Society's education division is promoting teaching and learning about world regions, cultures, and languages in K-12 schools by raising awareness and advancing policy, developing practical models of international education, and strengthening relationships between U.S. and Asian education leaders. Headquartered in New York City, the organization has centers in Hong Kong, Houston, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, San Francisco, Shanghai and Washington, D.C., and will open a center in Mumbai in 2006. Visit on the web at www.asiasociety.org or www.internationaled.org.