A case study: One California high school's commitment to preparing students for a global world
[Thesis]
;supervisor: Gothold, Stuart
University of Southern California: United States -- California
: 2011
178 pages
Ed.D.
, University of Southern California: United States -- California
Today's global society, defined by political interconnectedness, technologically-based communication, and complexity of cultures, peoples, and perspectives, challenges K-12 education to prepare students like never before. International benchmarking assessments and the academic literature indicate the need for American students to graduate from high school with the ability to think creatively and analytically, to communicate and empathize with peoples from diverse cultures and backgrounds, and to apply information across disciplines. Without such skills, Americans will face economic challenges at both an individual and national level in an international marketplace and global society.This dissertation presents a qualitative case study of a California high school addressing globalization in its curriculum and organizational structure, and the associated student outcomes. XX High School embraced elements of globalization through its curricular program that emphasizing problem-solving through environmental stewardship. Through a well-coordinated and well-planned curriculum, the school facilitated teacher collaboration in order to provide a truly interdisciplinary and project-based college-preparatory learning experience for all students. For this school, planning and collaboration underscored the school's program, making it truly global. While the school diverged from the literature by focusing on environmental sustainability instead of a multitude of global issues, this emphasis provided abundant opportunity for students to develop the skills and habits of mind deemed crucial for global competitiveness.