Global Education in Washington State
The following post is from Global Washington, a membership association that promotes and supports the global development sector in the state of Washington. FIUTS was proud to be a part of the development of the state-wide recommendations outlined in the Global Washington report described here, and we're incredibly proud to be a part of making global education available to students in our community.
On January 24, 2013, Global Washington released a report outlining the state of global education in Washington, providing a rationale for global education, highlighting best practices, and presenting recommendations for improvement. This detailed report defines global education as “an approach to teaching and learning that provides students with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to understand the way the world works and prepares them to participate in an interconnected society.”
This report is a part of the Global Education Initiative, a program of Global Washington launched in March of 2011 that has gathered feedback from more than 1,000 parents, educators, and business leaders in Washington State with the aim of improving global education from preschool through the graduate level.
As outlined in the report, The Initiative found that although the state of Washington is one of the most globally connected in the U.S., the state currently lacks a comprehensive commitment to global education. The report found a significant gap between the state’s economic pillars and its educational foundation. However, to be competitive economically, Washington businesses need globally and linguistically competent leadership and workers more than ever. Accordingly, our state needs to commit to globally competency and produce a robust local talent pool of graduates, rather than forcing Washington state businesses to import critical skills.
Global education, according to the report, helps students become well rounded citizens, able to understand and relate to diverse communities. Additionally, it gives students competencies necessary to be vocationally competitive: the ability to investigate the world, recognize perspectives, communicate ideas, and take action.
The report also calls for the current educational emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), becoming STEM-internationalized—that is, STEM made relevant to the reality of a globalized society.
According to an October of 2012 report from the Washington Council on International Trade and the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle, nearly 40% of all jobs in the state of Washington are tied to international trade. Global Education in Washington State makes the case that in light of Washington’s strong global economy, global skills and competencies are increasingly crucial for the state’s workforce. The more Washington State produces globally competent graduates, the more the state’s employers can draw from a robust local talent pool rather than being forced to import critical skills.
The report points out exemplary schools and programs that are giving students the necessary exposure and skills to succeed in such an economy. However, because there is no statewide strategy, many students are still missing out on this important knowledge.
Based on widespread feedback and research, The Global Education Initiative identified six recommendations to guide the development of a comprehensive approach to global education. Outlined in further detail in the report, these six recommendations are as follows:
1. Build statewide support for global education in P-12 and higher education
2. Identify and promote best practices in global education in P-12 and higher education
3. Increase second language learning in P-12 and higher education
4. Prepare globally competent P-12 teachers
5. Increase global learning engagement in higher education
6. Build strong partnerships between global development and global education
Global Education in Washington State has been endorsed by Randy Dorn, Washington State Superintendent for Public Instruction; Marlene M. Johnson, Executive Director and CEO, NAFSA: Association of International Educators; Eleni Papadakis, Executive Director, Washington Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board; and David Woodward, President & CEO, Associates in Cultural Exchange. “I believe that the recommendations found in Global Washington’s ‘Global Education in Washington State’ paper represent a clear vision for how we need to move going forward,” stated Dorn. “By working together, we can make a difference and improve global education in Washington State.”
The report and executive summary can be downloaded in PDF form at globalwa.org/strengthen/global-education-initiative/. Find out more about Global Washington at www.globalwa.org.