2004 Activities
CCSSO Hosts Distinguished Delegation from Japan
Every other year, CCSSO hosts a delegation of distinguished superintendents from Japan at one of our large annual meetings as a continuation of our partnership with the Association of Prefectural Boards of Education Superintendents (APBES). This exchange between CCSSO and APBES began in 1990, and counting this trip, the two organizations have made 13 mutual visits that have made solid contributions to the improvement of educational administration in both countries.
Peter McWalters (RI), chair of CCSSO’s International Education Committee, introduced Susumu Takeda, superintendent of Kyoto Prefectural Board of Education and vice chairman of the APBES, to address all meeting participants. Mr. Takeda expressed gratitude for coming to this event as he was able to learn more about NCLB and other federal and state education reform activities in the U.S. Mr. Takeda described Japan’s current educational situation and the efforts his group are making to find solutions to problems they are facing. The dialogue between the U.S. and Japan through this exchange has been helpful to both APBES and CCSSO in our joint efforts to educate and prepare children for lifelong learning.
During the APF, a breakfast session was also held for the Japanese delegation. Chiefs from Kansas, Ohio, North Dakota, Vermont, and Rhode Island hosted the delegation. There was significant dialogue around classroom instruction time, textbooks, and teacher preparation.
It is evident, through all of the committee sessions and active participation from our Japanese delegation participants, that there is a strong commitment throughout the Council’s membership to continue these valuable partnerships and dialogues.
CCSSO Hosts Distinguished Delegation from China
In order to further strengthen CCSSO’s relations with China, the Council hosted a reciprocal delegation of the Chinese administrators that hosted chiefs last September at this year’s 2004 Summer Institute in Boston, MA.
The delegation participated in a host of cultural and professional activities ranging from dialogue with Harvard Education Graduate School to the Chinese vice minister of education addressing all meeting attendees about the need and possibility for future collaboration. In addition to attending the general sessions at the Summer Institute, the delegation also participated in a working meeting with the international committee around specific ideas for collaboration and partnership.
CCSSO was delighted to host a delegation from China to participate in this mid-year meeting. This meeting served as a preliminary discussion of our potential long-term exchange strategy and further discussion of common topics of interest between the two countries that will initiate a more serious and committed partnership.
CCSSO Embarks on Bi-Annual Trip to Japan and Hong Kong
On January 18-26, 2004, CCSSO further participated in the latest installment of a bi-annual exchange with Japan to explore best practices through a policy exchange.
Scott Montgomery, the Council’s chief of staff, accompanied chiefs from Kansas and Ohio to Japan and Hong Kong for CCSSO’s exchange with the Japanese Association of Prefecture Executives (our chiefs' Japanese counterparts) at their Educational Research Conference. This year's conference theme centered on increasing the effectiveness of teachers and enhancing the leadership of administrators.
Scott Montgomery addressed the conference on how the states are addressing the education challenges manifested through NCLB. Following the conference, the delegates visited with other Japanese education officials in school settings. Finally, the delegation then traveled to Hong Kong, where they visited with other education leaders and their schools.
CCSSO has a long history of participating in this exchange. In the same vein, members of the Association of Prefectural Board of Education Superintendents (APBES) will be in South Carolina in November to participate in CCSSO's Annual Policy Forum and visit some of our cultural sites.
2003 Activities
U.S. Delegation to China
In a plan to increase knowledge of the large-scale changes and challenges of modern China’s educational system, the Chinese Ministry of Education invited a high-level American education delegation to visit China in September 2003. The delegation, organized by the Asia Society, was an important step in the development of a longer-term program of cooperation and exchange between U.S. and Chinese educators.
The delegation began their tour in Beijing, proceeded to Xi’an, and concluded in Shanghai. Through visits to elementary, secondary, rural and urban Chinese schools, discussions with Chinese students and educators, and meetings with senior officials of the Ministry of Education, the American delegation experienced firsthand contemporary Chinese education. Delegates shared U.S. expertise on education issues ranging from math and science education, teacher education, and leadership development. The delegation also worked to promote teaching about the U.S. in China and about China in the U.S., with a special focus on language learning and the development of partnerships between participating states and Chinese provinces.
International Working Group Gathered at CCSSO
The Council of Chief State School Officers convened a working group on International Education October 2003 in Washington, DC. Twenty-one people gathered over the two-day event that included chiefs, deputies, SEA staff, university staff, and NGO staff representing six states and territories (AS, AZ, NC, OK, VA, VT.)
Through the compilation of various discussions and presentations, the group engaged in the following aims:
- to help make international education a more significant priority for state education policy
- to investigate how the teaching of international content at the high school level can help students both to perform well in core subject areas and to understand their place in a global economy and society
- to inform the creation of a resource on the CCSSO website that identifies strategies, tools, and resources for promoting this position at the state and national level
- to inform a strategic communications plan that makes the connection between the teaching of international content and student performance in broad curricula.
The international working group was supported by a generous grant from the Longview Foundation.
