Indiana’s first International Education Summit assembles leaders to strengthen state’s global economic future

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, February 1, 2008
Media Contacts:
Jason Bearce, 317.232.6618, jbearce@doe.in.gov
Lynelle A. Miller, 317.232.6614, lamiller@doe.in.gov
Caterina Blitzer, 317.443.4764, cblitzer@doe.in.gov

Today, Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed assembled more than 250 education, business, government and community leaders from across the globe for the state’s first-ever International Education Summit. Co-hosted by Eli Lilly and Company, the summit is designed to position Indiana as a leader in educating a globally-aware and economically competitive workforce.

“Indiana’s economic future depends upon our ability to produce an educated workforce that understands and can effectively interact with diverse peoples from around the world,” said Reed. “Our schools are key partners in Indiana’s quest for excellence and engagement with the world.”

Strengthening International Education

The Indiana Department of Education believes children will be best poised to achieve to their fullest potential and contribute most to society when they have complete access to a system of education that recognizes and incorporates best practices from around the globe, teaches skills and knowledge necessary for the 21st century and utilizes high-quality and rigorous curricula, including instruction in world languages and cultures.

Based on these principles, the goals of the summit include raising awareness of the importance of international education, highlighting its current status in Indiana schools and teacher education programs, promoting best practices, providing expanded opportunities for collaboration and encouraging public and private investment to increase access to international content in Indiana schools.

Research shows that among the best ways to strengthen international education are:

• Increasing teacher knowledge about the world
• Expanding world language skills
• Building international school partnerships and exchanges
• Connecting teachers and K-12 students with higher education resources
• Infusing international content into existing programs

Ensuring Indiana’s global future

“Every one of Indiana’s one million students deserves a passport to the world,” said Sidney Taurel, chairman and chief executive officer of Eli Lilly and Company. “Through the diligence of a diverse group of business, civic and educational leaders, progress to promote international education programs have successfully expanded in many parts of our state over the past decade. However, as our state grows its global presence, it is vital that we continue to work with a shared sense of urgency to bring international education opportunities to more Indiana schools."

In 2006, Indiana ranked No. 1 in North America in the creation of production jobs from international sources. Currently, more than 850 foreign-owned businesses are located in Indiana, with the majority from Japan, followed by Germany, the United Kingdom and France. Indiana companies exported goods to 196 nations in 2006, totaling $22.6 billion, up 5.2 percent from the previous year. Exports are a significant part of the economy supporting about 96,000 manufacturing jobs in 2005. Indiana’s export growth is above the national and Midwest average, topping $3 billion in 2007.

Asking the right questions

In recognition of Indiana’s increasing ties to other nations, participants at the International Education Summit engaged in substantive discussions around critical questions in international education from a variety of perspectives including:

• What influence does public education have on global economic, social, cultural and business competencies?
• How can we help today’s students develop the skills of communication and adaptability needed to function effectively as citizens and workers in a global, interconnected world?
• How can colleges and universities help strengthen education for global citizenship and/or global competence at the K-12 level?
• How would improved global education result in stronger business and civic capability?
• What specific curriculum changes, projects or exchanges to develop global competency and connect our students with the world might a school district introduce or add?

Online resources

Preliminary findings from “State of International Education in Indiana,” a survey of K-12 schools conducted for the Indiana Department of Education by Indiana University, are available online at www.doe.in.gov/internationaleducation.

The summit is part of larger ongoing effort to build and implement an effective, relevant international education plan for Indiana. Visit www.doe.in.gov/internationaleducation to learn more.