US-China Study Tours

Sponsored by MASA, Michigan State University, College of Education and the US-China Center for Research on Educational Excellence.

A Professional Development Opportunity for MASA members

 

The Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA) is proud to co-sponsor, in partnership with Michigan State University's College of Education and the U.S.-China Center for Research on Educational Excellence, an International Study Tour to China. Experiences such as this must play an important role in preparing leaders to operate in Thomas Friedman's "flat world." The American public, however, still thinks in terms of jobs being lost to immigrants within the U.S. or to workers abroad willing to do basic work for bargain basement wages.  In truth, the digital age, with its free trade and instantaneous communication, has laid waste to barriers that limited the flow of goods, knowledge, capital, and labor among countries.  Even the most highly trained American professionals must compete directly with their foreign counterparts.  A postindustrial economy is at hand, and the U.S. education system must reorient itself, rapidly, or invite national economic decline. Talented citizens and enlightened leadership will be necessary to reconcile the pressures of globalization, the worries of American workers, and the public's skepticism about greater national coherence in U.S. education policy.  MASA is committed to playing a prominent role in equipping leaders in education to succeed in the age of globalization.

 

As a member of the MASA, you have an opportunity to experience first-hand one of the most significant social movements in history, now taking place in the Peoples Republic of China. We all need to prepare students for the world in which they will live and work, a world in which China will play an increasingly important role. MASA is sponsoring a study tour for superintendents that will visit Beijing, Chongqing and Shanghai, where participants will have special access to national, regional and local K-16 education officials, schools and students. MASA members, specifically superintendents and first-line officials, are invited to join Tom White, Executive Director of the Michigan School Business Officials, and William Mayes, Execuitve Director of MASA, on this professional learning experience. Because space is limited, spouses and non-business guests are not able to be accommodated.

The study tour will be facilitated by faculty from MSU's College of Education with extensive experience in organizing and sponsoring international study tours for educational leaders throughout the U.S. Leadership for the US-China International Study Tours is provided by University Distinguished Professor and Director of the US-China Center for Research on Educational Excellence Dr. Yong Zhao, Assistant Dean for K-12 Outreach Dr. Barbara Markle and MSU consultant Dan Schultz. The goals of the international study tour are to:

• Inform and broaden the perspectives of education leaders of education reforms from pre-school through higher education in an international context;
• Position education leaders to anticipate and plan for change in a global context rather than to react to education changes in other countries;
• Provide policy leaders with an international perspective as they shape and influence education in Michigan and the U.S.

Your formal orientation for the tour will include an overview of the education system in China, how China and the U.S. compare in education, how to develop sister-school and district partner relationships, how to arrange for Chinese visitors and teachers in your district, and the potential for principal and teacher exchanges. As another enriching experience, our MASA participants may be joined by a group of superintendents from the state of Washington. This effort is being organized by the University of Washington.

We will have high quality accommodations in each city. Costs for the trip will be approximately $3995 which will include double occupancy hotel accommodations, air transportation within China, Western-style breakfasts, most lunches and dinners, a professional guide, a Chinese interpreter, airport transfers and local ground transportation. We strongly recommend the purchase of medical and trip interruption insurance. Please note that international airfare expenses to Beijing and from Shanghai are not included in this price. Current airfare is approximately $1500-1700 roundtrip from Detroit.

 

The registration deadline is September 15, 2008.