Ukrainian Educators Intern in Citizen Education Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2003
Kathleen McPartland
530-898-4260
Ukrainian Educators Intern in Citizen Education Program
California State University, Chico, in collaboration with the Red Bluff Joint Union High School District and the Chico Unified School District, is providing a five-week internship program to explore and develop civics education curriculum with seven participating Ukrainian educators.
The Ukrainian teachers, who arrived on Oct. 10 and will stay until Nov. 17, are linked with mentor teachers and administrators at Red Bluff High School. The program provides internships, professional development workshops, site visits, and experience-America activities.
“Citizenship education is an essential component in the democratic transition occurring in the newly independent states (NIS),” said Diana Parks, program director. “Good citizenship requires a commitment to the fundamental values and principles of democracy. Civic education, consequently, becomes an essential vehicle for teaching young people about the rights and responsibilities of civic life.”
Although reform is changing the face of education in the NIS, Parks said that many challenges remain. There is a lack of technology, limited supplies, and lack of training in new methodologies such as problem-based learning. This training program provides these Ukrainian teachers a close look at the curriculum and methodology employed in civics education in the United States. During the program, they will develop curriculum materials and methods for use in their own classes and schools.
The program is mutually beneficial to the Ukrainians and the hosts. Red Bluff teachers will share their expertise in teaching civics with the Ukrainians and learn from them. The Ukrainian teachers will deliver presentations on conditions in their home country to educators and students from CSU, Chico, local schools, PTA, and community groups.
The United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs sponsors the program. As part of the program, two teachers from Red Bluff Unified District, not yet chosen will spend two weeks in the Ukraine in the spring, observing and sharing best practices in teaching.
For further information contact: Diana Parks, program director, at 898-6049, or Kim LeBlanc, program manager, at 828-9740.
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