Your Name and Title: Kara Roth, Coordinator of Hingham High School Global Citizenship Program
School, Library, or Organization Name: Hingham High School
Co-Presenter Name(s): Richard Swanson, Katy Gallagher, Erica Pollard
Country from Which You Will Present: USA
Language in Which You Will Present: English
Target Audience: Secondary school teachers, administrators, librarians, students
Short Session Description (one line): This session will explain the planning, implementation, and sustainability of Hingham High School’s Global Citizenship Program, a multi-disciplinary and extra-curricular program that awards students a Certificate of Global Competency upon completion of globally-focused academic, travel, and service activities.
Full Session Description (as long as you would like):
The 2013-2014 school year marks the second full year of operations for Hingham High School’s Global Citizenship Program (GCP). The GCP was developed over two years by a committee of teachers, administrators, and students passionate about increasing the school’s global competency. This workshop session will outline the process of creating and sustaining a Global Citizenship or a Global Competency Program at the secondary level.
Available to all students, the GCP is designed as a two- or three-year program that culminates in a portfolio project and includes an impressive range of requirements, including globally-focused community service projects, peer and community education programs, specific course requirements, cultural enrichment activities, international travel, a research project, a culminating portfolio, and participation in the Global Citizenship Club. Students who complete the program (by meeting criteria such as community service, travel, and academic study, etc.) will earn a Global Competency Certificate that will be acknowledged on their high school transcripts and recognized in the materials that their guidance counselors send to college admissions.
After an enthusiastic marketing campaign, student and parent response was overwhelmingly positive. We received over 100 applications to the Certificate program and accepted 62 candidates. Through continued grant funding, four advisors have been hired, one head advisor and three assistant advisors. Since our pilot year, the GCP has earned district funding from the school’s administration, making it a permanent feature of the school department’s budget. In our second year, the GCP received over 80 applications, and we are about to graduate our first round of about 35 “Global Citizens”.
This workshop will provide participants with an overview of how to create and coordinate a similar program in their schools. Topics covered will include:
- Forming an exploratory committee
- Building community buy-in and support
- Establishing criteria for a Global Competency Certificate
- Using existing internal capacity within your school as part of the program
- Creating an application procedure
- Marketing your program
- Planning student meetings & advisory sessions for building global competence
- Sustaining student participation, community interest, and long-term funding
This workshop will also provide participants access to our program’s website, where they can review and learn from GCP documents, including our Mission and Expectations, Application, and Student Handbook.
MISSION of the HINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP PROGRAM
The Global Citizenship Program promotes global competence, a key twenty-first century skill, in Hingham High School students. Through interdisciplinary academic study, community service, and international travel, participants increase their global awareness, heighten their appreciation of diversity, and enlarge their capacity to work and contribute in an increasingly interconnected world.
EXPECTATIONS
GCP students will:
Ø Demonstrate proficiency and confidence in a second language
Ø Attain knowledge of – and show an appreciation for – cultural differences
Ø Examine contemporary issues from multiple perspectives
Ø Engage in community service with open-mindedness and humility
Ø Contribute with energy and spirit to the GCP community of learners
Ø Share their expertise and enthusiasm with the broader Hingham community
Ø Actively promote global understanding and the peaceful resolution of conflicts
Ø Achieve personal growth through reflection
Ø Strive to realize their full potential to lead as global citizens
Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session: www.hinghamgcp.wordpress.com
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