1. Putting the World into World-Class Education: Innovations and Opportunities
Vivien Stewart
Vice President, Education
Asia Society

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Global Trends: Economic
Percentage of World GDP
2004
2025
2050
India
India
India
China
Other
Japan
Other
Other
China
Japan
China US US EU 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

6. 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%

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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)

10. 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?

11. 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

12. Innovations in Schools and States
Every school an international school,
Every graduate globally literate.

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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)

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. Innovations in States
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
West Virginia
24 states are part of the Asia Society States Network on International Education

20. 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)

21. Innovations in Languages
Rapidly growing interest!
2,400 schools want to offer AP Chinese

22. 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  programs in 39 states in 2007.
New APs in Mandarin, Japanese, Russian

23. 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?

24. 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 , 2008

25. 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
InternationalEd.org
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