TEXT OF LETTER FROM ROD PAIGE, SECRETARY OF EDUCATION,
TO U.S. GOVERNORS

August 25, 2003

Dear Governor:

I am pleased to announce this year's International Education Week, which will take place from November 17 to 21, 2003. This will be the fourth annual commemoration of this joint initiative of the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of State to promote international awareness and international education skills.

Today, more than ever, we must educate ourselves about world affairs. Americans have experienced and endured many challenges since September 2001. The fight against terrorism, the necessity to protect our homeland, and our efforts to bring democracy to many who deserve to live richer and fuller lives, all need to be based on a solid foundation of understanding of the world beyond our borders.

To this end, I announced an important international education policy directive during last year's International Education Week. I charged the Department of Education with broadening its focus and becoming more engaged in building international relationships.

The Department is to expand its efforts to learn from other countries about techniques and practices that will help us improve our system of education. I directed that we provide leadership in education issues in appropriate international forums and settings, and work with appropriate partners in the international education community on initiatives of common benefit.

In order to be effective in all these areas, we must equip our citizens with excellent international education skills. To accomplish this, we must do a better job of exposing our students to other languages, cultures and the challenges outside our own country. As I have said before, we need to put the "world" back into "world-class" education.

Schools can integrate international content into their curriculum. Children can read stories from around the world that are translated into English. Similarly, students in language immersion programs can study other subjects like math and science in the target languages.

The blending of international education into many subject areas should be happening as a matter of course, rather than only under special circumstances. I hope you will encourage schools, colleges and universities within your jurisdiction to educate America's students so that no child will be left behind, as international education is for everyone. Last year, states issued proclamations to commemorate International Education Week and I invite you to do the same this year.

I hope you will join me in participating in International Education Week 2003. For information about International Education Week 2003, and for general information about international education activities and programs at the U.S. Department of Education, please visit www.ed.gov/international. I am sure that you and your staff will have many excellent ideas to encourage schools, colleges, universities, businesses and community groups to commemorate this important week.

Sincerely,

Rod Paige