NEW YORK, July 13, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- In a world that has grown increasingly interconnected, schools nationwide are developing new programs that promote international knowledge and skills. Unfortunately, the benefits of such programs to millions of students who know very little about the 90 percent of the world outside our borders are squandered because of a lack of resources for replication, according to preliminary research conducted by Asia Society.
The Asia Society, in partnership with The Goldman Sachs Foundation, is currently reviewing more than 400 international-studies programs from school districts represented in nearly every state. A preliminary review shows that from elementary school through high school, as well as university programs, the level of educator interest in international studies and the creativity of the programs, is clearly growing.
However, such programs are conducted largely on an isolated basis. While there is growing interest from both educators and government policy makers to improve and expand international education, there is virtually no mechanism in place to help replicate and expand such programs in other school districts, even within the same state.
"Many of the programs that we have reviewed show tremendous creativity in promoting rich, engaging instruction and promoting the new skills kids need now more than ever," said Dr. Michael Levine, Executive Director of Education at the Asia Society. "These programs demonstrate how a global focus can improve the quality of teaching, while motivating and inspiring students' curiosity to explore beyond their borders."
The findings come at a time when international literacy is more important than ever. Research, including that conducted by the Asia Society, show that young Americans are dangerously uninformed about international matters, especially Asia, home to more than 60 percent of the world's population.
For example, 25 percent of college-bound high school students did not know the name of the ocean that separates the United States from Asia. Eighty percent did not know that India is the world's largest democracy. And while more than a million students in U.S. schools studied French, a language spoken by 80 million people worldwide, fewer than 40,000 studied Chinese, a language spoken by almost 1.3 billion people.
To help address this knowledge gap, the Asia Society and The Goldman Sachs Foundation will be releasing a report on the 'best practices' findings of such educational programs later this Fall. The release of the report will coincide with the announcement of The Goldman Sachs Foundation Prizes for Excellence in International Education, in which a total of $125,000 will be awarded to those schools and other organizations that have developed innovative programs to promote international learning.
"If young Americans are to take on challenging global leadership roles in the future, they must have not only an education grounded in the technology of the 21st Century, but also a deep understanding of other cultures, geography, history and languages," said Stephanie Bell-Rose, President of The Goldman Sachs Foundation.
About Asia Society
The Asia Society is America's leading institution dedicated to fostering understanding of Asia and communication between Americans and the peoples of Asia and the Pacific. A national nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization, the Asia Society develops cultural, policy, business and education programs about Asia for the public and influential leaders.
About The Goldman Sachs Foundation
The Goldman Sachs Foundation is a global philanthropic organization funded by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. The Foundation's mission is to promote excellence and innovation in education and to improve the academic performance and lifelong productivity of young people worldwide. It achieves this mission through a combination of strategic partnerships, grants, loans, private sector investments, and the deployment of professional talent from Goldman Sachs. Funded in 1999, the Foundation has awarded grants in excess of $54 million since its inception, providing opportunities for young people in more than 20 countries.