Connecticut-Shandong Partnership
COVENTRY WELCOMES DELEGATION FROM SHANDONG PROVINCE |
Since 2005, Coventry schools have been involved with Shandong, China as a part of our sister schools project. This collaboration is related to a twenty-year Connecticut/Shandong partnership which enables us to exchange teaching methods with Shandong teachers and administrators. In addition, State of Connecticut standards specify that students engage in projects that value diversity and help eliminate racial and ethnic isolation. Programs such as these address specific state standards. Our developing plans for exchanging students with our sister school will increase our students’ understanding of the world and its cultures. Most enthusiastically, we report that our Shandong/Coventry program was enhanced in January 2009 when three educational researchers from Shandong, China visited our town and schools studying our programs. Their ten day stay was a wonderful opportunity for the exchange of ideas and practices.
On September 23, 2009 Coventry Public Schools welcomed additional visitors from China for the day. Among the guests were Dr. Wang, Beijing Department of Education; Dr. Jin, Beijing Department of Education; Mrs. Qi, Superintendent; Mr. Yang, Principal of Qingdao No. 57 Middle School; and Mrs. Yang, Principal. There was a welcoming ceremony held at the Capt. Nathan Hale/Coventry High School Library Media Center. Some of our students were there to greet and meet with our guests. Our visitors then toured Coventry High School and the Capt. Nathan Hale Middle School to observe classrooms before having a short break. Their tours of the G.H. Robertson School and the Coventry Grammar School continued into the late afternoon. Our Shandong visitors ended the day with a tour of Coventry, led by Superintendent of Schools, Donna Bernard, Ph.D.
CHINESE VISITORS TOUR COVENTRY PUBLIC SCHOOLS - SEPTEMBER 2009 |
PICTURES FROM CHINA RECEPTION - JANUARY 2009 |
PICTURES FROM DR. BERNARD'S TRIP TO CHINA IN JANUARY '09 |
| HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT-SHANDONG PARTNERSHIP |
The idea for partnerships between Connecticut schools and schools in Shandong Province, People's Republic of China is an outgrowth of a trade and economic partnership formed between the Chinese province and our state in 1986. Twenty years ago, then Governor William O'Neill and the Governor of Shandong Province signed a pact to form a business relationship. As a result of the agreement, the Connecticut China-Shandong Province Council, an organization involving community leaders, educational institutions and businesses in Connecticut, was created to foster friendship, trade and other relationships between the two regions.
In 2002, the Connecticut State Department of Education received funding from the U.S. Department of Education to send a delegation of 17 teachers to conduct field study in China and Shandong Province. The Shandong Provincial Commission on Education hosted the delegation. Out of that experience the idea for establishing a relationship that would encourage collaborative programs, exchange and joint educational activities was formed. Daniel W. Gregg, Social Studies Consultant, Connecticut State Department of Education, was appointed to facilitate educational exchanges. In January 2003, the Connecticut State Department of Education signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreement with the Shandong Provincial Commission on Education, and from that the Sister School Exchange Project and many related educational exchanges were launched.
GOALS OF THE TEACHING METHODS PROGRAM
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1. To understand the United States and Connecticut education system;
2. To understand the research-based strategies that have the greatest affect on student achievement and when and how to apply them during instruction (Marazano, R.J., Classroom Instruction That Works, 2001);
3. To understand teacher factors that increase student achievement (instructional strategies; classroom behavior; curriculum design); and
4. To reflect on Connecticut classroom experiences and culturally adapt teaching methods observed to Chinese classroom settings.
COMPARISON BETWEEN CHINESE AND U.S. EDUCATION SYSTEMS
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CHINA
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UNITED STATES |
Nursery School
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Nursery School
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Kindergarten
|
Pre-School
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Primary School (Grades 1-6)
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Elementary School (Grades K- 4 or 5)
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Junior Middle School (Grades 7-9)
[End of compulsory Education] |
Middle, Junior High School
(Grades 5 or 6-8) |
Middle School (Grades 10-12), Vocational School,
Specialized School |
High School (Grades 9-12),
Vocational-Technical School
[End of compulsory Education] |
College, University
(3, 4 year programs) |
Junior College, Technical School
(2 years)
College, University (4 years) |
Master’s Program
(3 years, fulltime or on-the-job) |
Master’s Program
(1-2 years, fulltime or on-the-job) |
Doctoral Program
(usually 3 years, fulltime or on-the-job) |
Doctoral Program
(60+ credit hours + dissertation) |
