The Colombian Project: A Report of Progress of a Program of In-Service Education in Binational Schools in Latin America

The University of Alabama operates a program of Teacher Education and Improvement Services for seven binational schools (N-12) in Latin America under a 5-year agreement with the Association of Colombian-American Binational Schools. (SP 003 730 contains descriptive data on the schools.) Two years of operation have been completed under the agreement through which the University provides a systematic program of inservice education for teachers working within the Association; consultative services to the respective schools in a wide range of areas; development of professional guides and reports; and promotion of mutually beneficial programs for students, faculty, and administrators. Much has been learned about what constitutes a successful program; and there are many subsequent implications for improvement of the existing program as well as for the concept of international education as a dimension for strengthening education in general. Included with the progress report and evaluation are background information on American-type overseas schools in general and descriptions of three supporting activities: the Goshen Project for development of curriculums enriched through international education--see SP 003 738; the Student Teacher Program in which selected students from the University are assigned to the respective schools for a portion of their preparation for certification; and personnel development on the doctoral level.) (JS)