Connecting US Classrooms Globally for National Security

Connecting US teachers and students with their peers worldwide will lead to a more prosperous and secure United States. But how, exactly?

This blog has made the case that connecting US classrooms to partners around the world bolsters US public diplomacy, an essential component of national security. Many others have made similar statements to the effect that global awareness among K-12 youth is needed to prepare future leaders who will help mitigate environmental, financial, and global health crises that will impact national security.

The US Departments of Defense, State, and Homeland Security have stated that US K-12 educational system isn’t meeting their needs for its current national security challenges. Still, policy-makers rarely address the need for international education in US schools, and programs that help teachers and students learn about the world are not funded at the level of other national security priorities (not even close). Here are four recent articles for policy-makers that explicitly link US national security to our students’ global competencies. Are these compelling arguments? Are there more for this list?

	Enhancing Foreign Language Learning “The promotion of foreign language instruction should be a national priority. “	Terrence G. Wiley, Sarah Catherine Moore, and Margaret S. Fee, Center for Applied Linguistics
	Supporting Education Reform “Educational failure puts the United States’ future economic prosperity, global position, and physical safety at risk.”	Joel I. Klein and Condoleezza Rice, Council of Foreign Relations’ Sponsored Independent Task Force
	Promoting Study Abroad “I believe that our national security rests upon the foundation of a well-educated electorate with a broad and sophisticated worldview.”	Rick Steves, Travel Writer
	Improving Access to Education Worldwide “Could the effort to build global competence in young people in the US be one tool to expand quality education globally?”	Dr. Ed Gragert, Director, Global Campaign for Education, US Chapter