U.S.-China Principal Exchange Opportunity

Opportunity Available for Superintendents and Principals, 2005-06 School Year

The partnerships are designed to:

1. Develop greater understanding of the partner school in its social context
2. Develop deeper knowledge of another educational system
3. Establish a mutually beneficial on-going relationship
4. Promote intercultural understanding

Project Description:
CEI and CEAIE are responsible for selecting respective American and Chinese participants. Administrators from Massachusetts will be partnered with peers in China. The project, now in its second year, will continue in October 2005 with a visit by twelve Chinese administrators to schools in the U.S. In April 2006 twelve U.S. administrators will visit their Chinese counterparts at schools in China.

Role of CEI and CAEIE:

1. Selection of participants: schools and administrators
2. Design and coordination of orientation sessions. Orientation will include information about the education system, its administrative structure, educational reform, assessment, the use of technology, and other topics of interest determined by participants.
3. Partial funding for travel from the Freeman Foundation
4. Travel planning
5. Program evaluation

Role of participating administrators in U.S. (Chinese schools will host in kind.):

1. Provide hospitality, including meals and accommodations in host families or dormitories, and transportation for visitors during a five-day visit
2. Set up a schedule of shadowing, classroom visits, meetings with other people in the school to provide a full range of information about school operations
3. Provide welcoming activities in the local community

Activities of participants in China:

1. Learn about secondary education and educational reform in practice
2. Study the roles and responsibilities of senior administrators
3. Explore opportunities for student and faculty exchanges and joint educational projects
4. Visit classrooms to observe pedagogy and examine curriculum materials
5. Tour local sites of interest
6. Live in host families or on campus

Cost for participants: $1000 contribution; The Freeman Foundation will pay all additional costs.

If interested, please contact:
Carolyn Henderson or Charlotte Mason, Directors
The China Exchange Initiative
140 Brandeis Road
Newton, Massachusetts 02459
Telephone: 617 559 6730
Facsimile: 617 559 6701

Email:
Carolyn_Henderson@newton.mec.edu
Charlotte_Mason@newton.mec.edu