News Brief
Twenty-Four Countries and Regions to Convene in New York City for Second International Summit on the Teaching Profession
2012 Theme Centers on “Preparing Teachers and Developing School Leaders”Washington, DC- Chief state school officers from around the country and CCSSO Executive Director, Gene Wilhoit will join U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, educators and leaders from across the world at the second annual International Summit on the Teaching Profession (International Summit) in New York City, March 14-15.
Hosts of the second International Summit include: U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Education International (EI), together with U.S.-based partners-National Education Association (NEA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), National Board for Professional Teaching Standards(NBPTS), Asia Society and WNET.
This year's theme, "Preparing Teachers and Developing School Leaders," was chosen based on feedback from last year's participants and will build on the conversation started in 2011. The two-day event will aim to explore three topics: developing school leaders, preparing teachers for the delivery of 21st century skills, and preparing teachers to work and succeed where they are most needed. A background paper from the OECD, which will be available in advance of the summit, highlights practices from around the world in each of these areas.
Participants will consist of international education ministers, national union leaders and accomplished teachers from 24 countries and regions with high performing and rapidly improving education systems (based on the OECD Program for International Student Assessment). Confirmed countries and regions include: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, The People's Republic of China, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The March Summit is part of an ongoing international dialogue on best practices in both teaching and learning. In the weeks following the Summit, Asia Society will lead host organizations in publishing a summary paper to publicly document insights shared and lessons learned.