International Education: The New Wave

Walter Parker
University of Washington, Seattle

Keywords: International education, global education, curriculum


A new wave of international education (IE) activity is underway in schools across the country. While certainly not a tidal wave, its sweep is impressive. In Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, San Antonio and elsewhere, some public schools are adding international to their names; the Asia Society has organized a network of such schools; the Goldman Sachs Foundation is awarding prizes for exemplary international schools; there are national and state coalitions for IE and an annual International Education Week co-sponsored by the federal Departments of State and Education; and more. Phrases like our global economy, our increasingly interconnected world, this new flat world, and global citizens role off the tongue like tic tacs. Audiences hearing these words nod their heads knowingly. Schools are encouraged to adopt international education before its too late. My questions: What does it mean? What forms is it taking? What work is it doing? Is citizenship education being re-scaled?

Category:

Education

Tags:

• International education
• global education
• curriculum