Resources

Contemporary societies are marked by new global trends - economic, cultural, technological, and environmental shifts that are part of a rapid and uneven wave of globalization. The growing global interdependence that characterizes our time calls for a generation of individuals who can engage in effective global problem solving and participate simultaneously in local, national, and global civic life. Put simply, preparing our students to participate fully in today's and tomorrow's world demands that we nurture their global competence.

This document introduces a definition of global competence developed by the Global Competence Task Force - a group of state education agency leaders, education scholars, and practitioners - under the auspices of the Council of Chief State School Officers EdSteps initiative (CCSSO-EdSteps) and the Asia Society Partnership for Global Learning (see page (iv) for task force participants). The definition builds on seminal work within the states and a broad range of organizations working to advance global knowledge and critical thinking skills. A process of careful articulation and vetting yielded the definition of global competence here proposed:

Global competence is the capacity and disposition to understand and act on issues of global significance.

Globally competent individuals are aware, curious, and interested in learning about the world and how it works. They can use the big ideas, tools, methods, and languages that are central to any discipline (mathematics, literature, history, science, and the arts) to engage the pressing issues of our time. They deploy and develop this expertise as they investigate such issues, recognize multiple perspectives, communicating their views effectively, and taking action to improve conditions.

Educating for Global Competence: Preparing Our Youth to Engage the World is intended for classroom teachers, administrators, informal educators, policymakers, community leaders, researchers, parents, students, and all other stakeholders interested in preparing our youth for the 21st century. Becoming better at education for global competence involves rethinking practices and recognizing that there are no simple recipes for success. As such, this book is meant to be used flexibly - browse, make connections, and concentrate on the chapters that you find most pertinent to your work. Experiment with ideas, challenge concepts, and share with colleagues. Ultimately this book must work for you. It is meant to be read in the way that best meets your needs, inspires your curiosity, and proves fruitful in the classroom.

Chapter one offers a rational for global education in our nation and worldwide. Chapter two introduces a conceptual framework for global competence and explains the key role of disciplinary and interdisciplinary foundations in student learning. Chapter three, four, five and six focus, respectively, on four core capacities associated with global competence: investigating the world, recognizing perspectives, communicating ideas, and taking action. Chapter seven considers core principles of instruction for teaching global competence. Chapter eight looks at what students and education institutions can do to promote global competence - and how they might create a culture of global competence for youth and adults. Finally, chapter nine places global competence in the larger framework of public education systems in and beyond the United States.