Learning Networks

Asia Society Partnership for Global Learning remains on the cutting edge of education reform and innovation through a variety of different learning networks that we have created and now lead. These networks allow us to learn from the best practices in education—both domestically and internationally—and provide us a laboratory to pilot and refine new techniques in teaching and assessment in order to drive improved student achievement.

These Asia Society networks include the:


International Studies Schools Network

Asia Society’s International Studies Schools Network is a network of schools  that serve as models of school reform and global education in action. These schools provide the laboratory in which we piloted and refine d the Graduation Performance System (GPS). The GPS is a performance- based system of curriculum, instruction, and assessment and serves as mechanism to drive educators to develop and continuously refine high-quality, global curriculum and instruction. GPS curriculum, performance outcomes, and rubrics are intentionally aligned to the Common Core State Standards. This system is one of many supports that we provide our ISSN schools as we help them prepare their schools for career and college in an increasingly global world.

Many of the ISSN schools are located within the same district. So, our work with them involves a broader partnership at the district level, as well as relationships with individual schools. These relationships involve:

      • An initial assessment of school culture and global focus
      • Site visits
      • On-site coaching
      • Professional development workshops
      • An annual Partnership for Global Learning conference
      • Access to and support using our online platform, curriculum modules, performance outcomes, and rubrics.

Currently within the ISSN, we are piloting a badging system and competency-based grading systems that is based upon implementation of the Graduation Performance System.

ISSN Tools and Innovations

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Confucius Classrooms

Asia Society’s Confucius Classrooms Network are exemplary Chinese language programs that serve as models for other programs. Through them, Asia Society highlight best practices, and help catalyze innovation and new thinking. The goal of this network is to build the field of Chinese language teaching at the K–12 level in the United States by providing models of success and strategies for growth.

The schools in the network represent 27 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, all with a strong commitment to making their Chinese program a core part of a larger mission toward helping students be more globally competent. Through the establishment of an online community, targeted professional development for Chinese language teachers in the network, and annual Confucius Classrooms Network conferences, we are creating the infrastructure for the development of effective and sustainable Chinese language programs for American students.

This project has been established with the support of an International Experts Committee and an Honorary Advisory Committee, and in partnership with Hanban, the Chinese government agency spearheading the establishment of Chinese language programs overseas.

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States Network

Asia Society, in partnership with the Longview Foundation, leads the States Network  on International Education. This network  assists over 25 states  in building capacity in international education. The capacity-building measures that they work on include everything from advocacy to legislation to political leadership on education-related issues. The purpose of this network is to share  the state-led innovations with the goal of other states adopting promising practices and supportive legislation that funds teacher preparation and school programs.

Asia Society also partners with several statewide afterschool networks across the country to embed global learning into statewide policies, professional development and quality systems for out-of-school programs.

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The Global Cities Education Network

Asia Society organized the Global Cities Education Network, a network of urban school systems in North America and Asia who work together to focus on challenges and opportunities for improvement common among them.

Despite differences between high-performing school systems, one common trait is that they not only benchmark the practices of other countries, but they systematically adapt and implement these practices within their own cultural and political contexts.

The Global Cities Education Network is intended as a mechanism for educators and decision-makers in Asia and North America to collaboratively dream, design, and deliver internationally informed solutions to common challenges with which education systems are currently grappling.

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