Careers: The Global Classroom

Here in Arizona, like many states, an intense ideological - and budgetary - battle has been going on about whether or not to fund global studies initiatives in our schools. Much of the resistance is based on sound fiscally conservative principles - where the funding will come from, what other curriculum might have to give way; and, the concern that these new classes dont' take precedence over U.S. history and government classes.

Unfortunately, much resistance also comes from those who have stated the pursuit of global studies schools and programs in Arizona were “dangerous,” “un-American” and “a step toward a U.N. takeover.”

Really? In a world where little Johnny or Susie may end up with a German boss; a Japanese employer; Brazilian partners; Indonesian customers; South African vendors; or investors from Dubai? All who think and act differently than we do? In a world that's already "connected" commercially and vocationally, the xenophobia of these elected officials is lamentable.

Last week's New York Times (May 16th, "In All the Classes, the World in All Its Variety") ran a revealing article about how school systems in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, North Carolina and Indiana (some operating under grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, some self-funded from their legistlatures) are seriously preparing students for the future that's already here now.

For example, students might have to produce research papers on North Korea's nuclear program, or the Taliban's role in the opium trade. Other projects include creating bilingual books with counterparts in Mexico; or grade-schoolers learning comparative economics by charting the multinational production of a pencil and representing G8 countries in a mock summit.

Here in Arizona, we move ahead, slowly and grudgingly... at present, the legislature has allowed some wiggle room for global studies programs - as long as they're funded by philanthropy, corporation sponsorship, etc. Perhaps that's best - but it speaks volumes about the old adage "when the people lead, the leaders will follow."