Washington State Coalition for International Education announces:
 

COALITION RECEIVES $15,000 GRANT TO PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION IN WASHINGTON STATE

The second P-20 International Education Summit “Teaching and Learning in a Global Community” will be held on October 27, 2004, thanks to a $15,000 grant from the Asia Society and Longview Foundation. The Summit will bring together teachers, students, parents, non-profit organizations, governmental agencies, business, and policy makers to examine how existing resources can be better used to integrate international education into our schools and communities. The Association of International Educators (NAFSA) is co-sponsoring the Summit in conjunction with its regional conference in Olympia, WA.

Speaking about the 2003 Summit held at the University of Washington, Caleb Perkins, social studies and international education supervisor at OSPI, stated that “the Summit was an excellent opportunity to hear from a variety of stakeholders about what we want Washington students to know and be able to do with regard to the world beyond our borders. The participants engaged in broad, philosophical discussions, but also wrestled with the specifics necessary to effect meaningful change in classrooms.”

The Summit is part of a broader effort led by the Washington State Coalition for International Education. Other projects funded by the grant include support of the Washington State Model UN, to be held at the University of Washington on April 23-24, and a World Languages Survey in collaboration with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the Washington Association For Language Teaching. The survey is in response to requests to OSPI for specific information on the status of world language education in various communities. For example, last year, Governor Locke's Office wanted to know where Japanese was being taught when trying to make the case to Boeing for building the 7E7 in Washington state. The survey will make that information available to policy makers and educators, as well as parents. The Coalition expects to share results from the survey at the Summit in October.

The Washington State Coalition for International Education consists of community leaders, non-profits and educators committed to preparing all students for today’s interconnected world. The grassroots organization helps promote activities and events related to international education through its bi-weekly E-Newsletter. For more information about the Coalition and the Summit, please visit the International Education Washington website: www.internationaledwa.org.

Contact:
Michele Anciaux Aoki, 206-234-4029, michele@internationaledwa.org

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