Internationalizing Public Education: Past Practices, Present Programs, and Future Promises

As the world becomes increasingly interdependent, the role of public education in the United States becomes correspondingly vital. In order for the United States to function in such a world its young persons, the leaders of tomorrow, must be able to understand how such a world works. Yet, as recent studies have show, the youth of the United States are woefully underexposed to other countries' languages and cultures, and to U.S. foreign policies. Many states have been responding to this need through the establishment of commissions to recommend ways of introducing broader instruction in international studies into schools, or have mandated some form of international education in all grades, from kindergarten through high school. A multitude of issues concerning global education has yet to be fully addressed, however, including specific questions as to teacher training and curriculum design and development. Comprehensive changes in education is implicit in the need for a more globally literate U.S. citizenry. (DB)