Transcript A World Transformed:

Putting the World into
World-Class Education:
Innovations and Opportunities
Vivien Stewart
Vice President, Education
Asia Society
Global Context/Economic Trends
– In 18 – 19th century Agricultural Age
– In 19-20th century Industrial and
Scientific Age
– In 21st century Global and Digital Age
We need to prepare students for the
world of tomorrow, not the world of
yesterday
2
Global Context/Economic Trends
• 1945 – 1990: U.S. Dominant World Economy
– Europe and Japan recovering from World War II
• Russia, China, India, Africa – not market
economies
• 1990: End of Cold War
– Market economies in China, Russia, India
– World Trade Organization (1995)
– Three billion people move from closed
economies into global economy
3
The Next Economy is
A Science and Knowledge Economy
- need scientific and technological literacy
A Resource-Challenged Economy
- need critical thinking about sustainable economies
A Globally Interdependent Economy
- global competence is a core competence
A Demographically Diverse Economy
- requires cross-cultural leadership skills
An Innovation-Driven Economy
- requires students who can learn how to learn and adapt to
rapid change
4
Global Trends: Economic
Percentage of World GDP
2004
2025
2050
India
2%
Other
India
Japan
4%
20%
India
China
Other
12%
21%
5%
China
28%
34%
27%
EU
10%
15%
7%
US
17%
Other
25%
Japan
28%
26%
US
15%
China
4%
US
EU
Japan
EU
China, India, Japan are expected to be 50% of world GDP within 30
years -- up from 18% in 2006.
Source: Keystone India
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Global Context/Demographic Trends
• Increasing diversity in our schools and
workplaces
– Increased populations from different parts of
the world require a citizenry with increased
understanding of other cultures
– Hispanic population has grown 34% since
1995; projected to grow 73% in the next 20
years
– Asian and Pacific Islander population has
grown 41%; projected to grow 86%
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Global Context/Technology
Trends
– “The World is Flat” Tom Friedman.
– Wiring of world from 1998 on means that much
work can be done anywhere. 24/7 global
production teams.
– 77.6% of Americans older than age 12 are on
the Internet. Similar Internet usage is found in
developed countries such as South Korea,
Singapore.
– In Japan 67%, in China 11% (143 million
people) and in India, 3.5%. However, these
percentages are all growing exponentially.
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Global Context/Education Trends
• Access to good jobs now requires new
skills
– Future careers in business, government,
science, 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
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Global Context/National Security
• New national and human security
challenges
– Terrorism, AIDS, Avian Flu, Environmental
concerns all underscore need for global
knowledge
– US State and Defense Departments have
issued strong calls for greater proficiency
in critical languages (Arabic, Korean, Farsi
etc)
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In the 21st century
students will be:
•
•
•
•
Selling to the world
Buying from the world
Working for international companies
Managing employees from other countries and
cultures
• Competing with people on the other side of the world
for jobs and markets
• Working with people all over the world in joint
ventures and global work teams
• Solving global problems such as AIDS, avian flu,
environmental problems, and resolving conflicts
ARE THEY READY?
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Challenge: Students Lack Knowledge
and Skills Needed In Global Age
Committee for Economic
Development
“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.”
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Innovations in
Schools and States
Every school an international school,
Every graduate globally literate.
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What is
International/Global Competence?
• 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
13
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 afterschool courses for their parents
– Seattle now plans 10 internationally focused
schools
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Innovations in Schools
• Walter Payton College Prep
High School
– Diverse school in Chicago
– Every student takes 4 years of
language (Chinese, Japanese, Latin,
French and Spanish)
– Partnerships with schools in China,
France, North Africa, Japan,
Switzerland, Chile, Italy and South
Africa. (Videoconferences,
homestays, sister schools)
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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
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centers
Innovations in Schools
International School of the Americas
– Urban, public, magnet in San
Antonio, TX
– Emphasis on experiential learning:
Model UN. Study trips to Zacatecas,
Mexico and the Heifer Ranch
– Science Partnerships with Japan
– Partnerships with local teacher
colleges and museums
– Every student has internship with
international focus
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Innovations in Schools
• Principles for Redesigning Schools
– Integrate international content across curriculum
– Offer world languages, including Asian languages
– Use technology to open students horizons and connect
schools to schools around the world
– Partner with international businesses, museums,
communities
– Encourage Internationally oriented community service
• Asia Society’s International Studies Schools Network: 13 schools
serving low-income students in CA, CO, NY, NC, and TX. Funded
by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
• The mission of each ISSN school is to prepare students to be
college ready and globally competent.
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Innovations in States
• 24 states are part of the Asia Society States
Network on International Education
Arizona
Connecticut
Delaware
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Massachusetts
Maryland
Michigan
Nebraska
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Virginia
Vermont
Washington
Wisconsin
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West Virginia
Innovations in States
• Developing Task Forces/Reports and Statewide “Summits”
to assess the status of international education (19 states)
• Adding international content to curriculum frameworks
(11 states)
• Introducing state legislation (12 states)
• Creating international secondary schools as models for
replication (7 states)
• Creating new educational partnerships with other countries
(15 states)
• Initiating early language programs and expanding world
language requirements (6 states)
• Creating new professional development institutes (17 states)
• Appointed international education coordinators (7 states)
• Adding international courses to virtual high schools (5 states)
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Innovations in Languages
Rapidly growing interest!
• 2,400 schools want to offer AP Chinese
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Innovations in Languages
• 85% of Americans believe it is important
for students to learn a second language
and 70% believe it should begin in
elementary school.
• Chinese language programs in K-12
schools have increased from 200 in 2005
 500 + programs in 39 states in 2007.
• New APs in Mandarin, Japanese, Russian
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Conclusion
• The need for international education has
never been greater.
• There is grassroots movement in different
parts of the country, as well as growing
interest at the state and federal level.
• Many opportunities exist for innovation at the
local school district and state level.
• Where are the points of leverage/opportunity
in West Virginia?
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Resources for Schools
• Upcoming Asia
Society Events:
– National Chinese
Language Conference
• April 17-19, 2008
• Washington, DC
– Putting the World into
World-Class Education:
Forum for International
Education Policy and
Practice
• July 10 -12, 2008
• Washington, DC
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Resources for Schools:
InternationalEd.org
Featuring:
• Latest news in
International Education
• Directory of State and
National Initiatives
• Education in Asia
• Publications
• Teacher Resources
• Policy Resources
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