International Agreements
Focus
One focus or goal of the State Board of Education's Task Force report, "Preparing Students for the World" (January 2013) was to renew existing and explore new Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with international partners and the State Board of Education. These partnerships help inform development of K-12 curriculum, teacher preparation, and professional development in both countries. MOUs also serve as a source and destination for educator exchanges and visits.
The State Board of Education currently has agreements or Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with public education systems in China, France, and Spain. The educators involved with these MOUs, and the professional groups that work in collaboration with them, support Global Education through exchanges for students and educators, joint projects between classrooms, and awards for schools and students.
Please see the details and attachments below for more information.
Renewal year: 2021
Current agreement signed: 2016
Original MOU signed: 2008
Goals
- To strengthen knowledge and understanding of each other's countries and cultures among K-12 educational leaders, educators, and students
- To facilitate the development of programs and activities which will foster mutual understanding
Current Activities
- Confucius Classrooms through Asia Society, Go Global NC, etc.
- Joint conferences, such as the US-China Summit
- Sister school relationships
Questions about the MOU with Jiangsu Province in China can be sent to the NCDPI Global Education Steering Committee at ncglobaleducation@dpi.nc.gov
Renewal year: 2024
Original MOU signed: 2020
Principles
The objective of this MOU is to establish the terms of cooperation on the development of a range of joint educational activities between France and North Carolina in order to:
- Support the teaching and learning of their respective languages and cultures
- Promote a better knowledge and understanding of their respective educational systems
- Provide professional growth opportunities to teachers of North Carolina and the Académie de Reims
- Establish collaboration between teachers and encourage their teaming through common projects
- Facilitate language learning opportunities for students, including short-term educational exchanges
Projects
- LabelFrancEducation: South Academy of International Languages (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools)
- Professional Development Seminars
- School & Teacher Partnerships
- Burns High School (Cleveland County Schools)
- Caldwell Online Academy Middle School (Caldwell County Schools)
- Charles B. Aycock High School (Wayne County Public Schools)
- Dillard Drive Magnet Middle School (Wake County Public School System)
- Eugene Ashley High School (New Hanover County Schools)
- Gravelly Hill Middle School (Orange County Schools)
- Innovation Early College High School (Pitt County Schools)
- Mooresville High School (Mooresville Grade School District)
- The Brawley School (Iredell-Statesville Schools)
- Tuscola High School (Haywood County Schools)
- West Craven Middle School (Craven County Schools)
Please see the 20-minute Overview of School Partnerships video and/or the slides as a PDF with information about submitting an application to be matched with a colleague and school in France. K-12 teachers in any subject can apply.
Questions about the MOU with France can be sent to the NCDPI Global Education Steering Committee at ncglobaleducation@dpi.nc.gov
Renewal year: 2020
Current agreement signed: 2016
Original MOU signed: 1995
Objectives
The main objectives for the cooperative programs developed under this MOU are the improvement of the quality and extent of the teaching of Spanish language and culture in North Carolina, and the English language and North American culture in Spain, in order to:
- Promote relationships between citizens of North Carolina and Spain
- Foster knowledge and appreciation of the culture shared by the two communities
- Provide students who enroll in these programs with a bilingual and multicultural education that trains them for future personal, academic and professional success
- Provide professional growth opportunities to teachers of North Carolina and Spain
Current Exchanges & Projects
- International Spanish Academies (ISAs):
- Collinswood Language Academy (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools)
- Siler City Elementary School (Chatham County Schools)
- School of the Year Awards
- Visiting Teachers
Questions about the MOU with Spain can be sent to the NCDPI Global Education Steering Committee at ncglobaleducation@dpi.nc.gov