Preparing American Students for the Global Age

Vivien StewartVice President, Education

Asia Society

Establishing K-12 Critical Language Programs WorkshopPortland, Oregon

April 26, 2007

Challenge

• Tom Friedman: The “flat world”

• Bill Gates: Need high schools that are rigorous and relevant

• Henry Kaufman and Tom Johnson: “America’s economic well-being hinges on our preeminence in science and technology…But in a globalized economy, our national well-being also hinges on future professionals of all kinds who are competent to conduct business in a global environment.”

Challenge: What is International Education?

• Knowledge of other world regions, cultures, and global/international issues

• Skills in communicating in languages other than English, working in global or cross-cultural environments, and using information from different sources around the world

• Values of respect and concern for other cultures and peoples

Challenge

• Globalization is driving demand for an internationally competent workforce– One in five jobs is tied to international trade

– Most future business growth will be in overseas markets

- Rise of China and India – all states seek trade connections. Trade with Asia now equals over $800 billion per year.

Challenge

• Access to good jobs now requires new skills– Future careers in business, government,

health care, law enforcement—all require greater international knowledge and skills

– Minorities underrepresented in international careers—need to be exposed to international content before college

Challenge

• New national and human security challenges

• Increasing diversity in schools and workplaces

• International education needs to be a two-way street

Challenge: Our Students are Not Prepared

• Reports find “International Knowledge Gap”– Levels of student knowledge are weak. Young

Americans next to last in nine country survey of international knowledge

– Language instruction doesn’t reflect today’s realities: Fewer than 50,000 K-12 students learn Chinese, a language spoken by 1.3 billion

Source: Asia Society: Asia in the Schools; National Geographic Roper Survey

Challenge: Students Lack Knowledge and Skills Needed In Global Age

“To compete successfully in the global marketplace, both

U.S.-based multinational corporations as well as

small businesses increasingly need

employees with knowledge of foreign languages and

cultures to market products to customers around the

globe and to work effectively with foreign

employees and partners in other countries.”Committee for Economic

Development

Challenge: Students Lack Knowledge and Skills Needed In Global Age

“Six traits in future UPS employees”– Trade literate– Sensitive to foreign cultures– Conversant in different languages– Technology savvy– Capable of managing complexity– Ethical Michael Eskew, CEO, United Parcel Service

New Developments: Competitor Countries Invest in International Education

• Languages: Most European countries start a first foreign language in the elementary grades. China teaches English from 3rd grade. 25% of Australian students learn an Asian languages.

• Exchanges: In China, education leaders study education practices in other countries, teachers are encouraged to study abroad, and schools are strongly urged to form sister school partnerships with schools in other countries.

• Technology: South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan have developed master plans to put high-speed computers in schools as a means of connecting students to world knowledge.

• Study Abroad: Whereas 0.5% of U.S. students studied abroad in 2000, the comparable figures were 3% for France and China, 16% for Ireland and 30% for Singapore.

New Developments: Innovations in Schools

• Evanston Township High School– Diverse student body in suburb of Chicago– One-year international studies requirement for

graduation– Area studies courses on the history, literature

and art of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East and global issues courses

– Ongoing professional development through partnerships with local university area studies centers

New Developments: Innovations in Schools

• International School of the Americas– Urban, public, magnet in San Antonio, TX– International Projects. Model UN– Emphasis on experiential learning: study

trips to Zacatecas, Mexico and the Heifer Ranch

– Science Partnerships with Japan– Partnerships with local teacher colleges

and museums

New Developments: Innovations in Schools

• Eugene International High School– School-within-a-school model: 4 schools in

Oregon– Curriculum centered thematically around culture,

history, and political, economic and belief systems– 11th and 12th grade culminate in independent

research extended essay with international focus– Service-learning graduation requirement with

international focus– IB offered

New Developments: Innovations in Schools

• Newton North and Newton South High Schools– Public school district in Massachusetts– Oldest running Chinese student exchange

program in the country with strong content background and preparation

– Exchange program is catalyst for district-wide curriculum reform

– Strong foreign language program

New Developments: Innovations in Schools

• John Stanford International School– Public K-5 bilingual immersion school in Seattle– Students spend half day studying math, science,

culture and literacy in either Japanese or Spanish; the other half of the day is spent learning reading, writing and social studies in English

– Partnerships with local offices of multinational businesses

– Offers ESL courses for children and after-school courses for their parents

New Developments: Innovations in Schools

• International Studies Schools Network (Asia Society and Gates Foundation) – Guiding Principles– Integrate international content in all curriculum areas– Offer world languages, including Asian languages– Use technology to connect schools to schools around

the world– Links to international businesses, museums,

communities– Internationally oriented community service and

informal learning opportunities

New Developments: Innovations in Schools

• International Studies Schools Network• Henry Street School for International Studies, New York, NY• Academy for International Studies, Charlotte, NC• International Studies Learning Center, South Gate, CA• Vaughn International Studies Academy, Los Angeles, CA• College of Staten Island High School for International

Studies, Staten Island, NY– Opening 2006-7

• International Studies School at Garinger, Charlotte, NC• Houston Academy for International Studies, Houston,TX• Center for International Studies, Denver, CO

– Opening 2007-8• High School for International Studies, Austin, TX• High School for International Studies, Philadelphia, PA• 2 High Schools for International Studies, TBD, TX

New Developments: Innovations in Schools

• The Goldman Sachs Foundation Prizes for Excellence in International Education: 500 applications from schools, colleges and universities, media and technology programs. New youth prize added in 2006 to recognize high school students

New Developments: Innovations in States

• States Institute on International Education in the Schools: Two dozen states work to improve international competence

• Governor or Legislative Commission/Task Forces: Thirteen states have appointed commissions

• Statewide “Summits”: Twelve states have brought together interested education, business and community leaders

• New Policies and Programs: e.g. strengthening curriculum standards, new professional development programs, elementary school language programs, harnessing technology, creating partnerships with schools in China and Mexico, innovation funds to “internationalize” high schools, redefining skills for high school graduation

• National Governors Association: Meeting on International Education (Feb. 2006)

• CCSSO: Summer Institute on International Education for state commissioners of education (July 2006)

Ten Questions to Ask Your School and State

internationaled.org/planningtools/research.htm

Action Steps: What You Can Do

See Internationaled.org

Resources:Newsletter and Website

InternationalEd.org

Resources:AskAsia.org

For materials on Asian cultures and issues