Putting the World into World-Class Education:

Innovations and Opportunities

Vivien StewartVice President, Education

Asia Society

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– 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

Global Context/Economic Trends

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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

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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

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Global Trends: Economic

Source: Keystone India

12%20%

2%

4%

34%28%

India

ChinaJapan

EUUS

Other

7%

21%

5%

15%

25%27%

India

China

Japan

EUUS

Other

4%

10%

17%

28%

15%

26%

India

China

JapanEU

US

Other

2004 2025 2050

Percentage of World GDP

China, India, Japan are expected to be 50% of world GDP within 30 years -- up from 18% in 2006.

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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

“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

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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

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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

– 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

– 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

Evanston Township High School

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Innovations in Schools

– 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

International School of the Americas

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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

ArizonaConnecticutDelawareIdahoIndianaKansasKentuckyMassachusettsMarylandMichiganNebraskaNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaRhode IslandVirginiaVermontWashingtonWisconsinWest Virginia

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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