Connecticut and Shandong Plan Joint Project

Connecticut and Shandong are in the initial planning stages of a professional development project to inform Shandong teachers on teaching methods in United States schools. Preliminary discussion on the project has begun between Ms. HUANG, Qi, Deputy Commissioner of Education, Shandong Provincial Education Department and Daniel W. Gregg, Director, Connecticut-Shandong Sister School Project, Connecticut State Department of Education. The project proposes a four week program involving Shandong teachers coming to the United States for home stays with internship at sister schools, professional development on classroom teaching methods and exposure to life and culture in the United States.

China Textbook Publishers Delegation

A delegation of nine representating People's Education Publishing House in Beijing visited Connecticut on June 2. Granby High School hosted the school site visit. The delegation met with members of the school board and were provided with a presentation on the textbook adoption process. Superintendent Gwen E. Van Dorp will be going to China in November to establish a partner school in Shandong Province for Granby High School.

The delegation was also hosted by Patricia Donnelly, Senior Vice President, Northeast Region, Harcourt Achieve and Sales Representatives Carolyn Bell and Stephen Fallon. The Connecticut Principal's Center under the direction of Michael Buckley hosted the culminating content event of the delegation visit. Jeffrey Cryan, Principal, Mansfield Middle School, Kaye Griffin, Superintendent, Madison School District and Christine Brown, World Language Director, Glastonbury Public Schools fielded questions from the delegation.

Shandong Deputy Commissioner of Education Arrives in Connecticut

Deputy Commissioner of Education, HUANG Qi, is in Connecticut for six months as a student at the U.S.-China Business Center. Ms. HUANG is responsible for international education for the Shandong Provincial Education Department. In September and October she will serve her internship at the Connecticut State Department of Education. Her responsiblities will include planning and advising on the Connecticut-Shandong Sister School Project as well as learning about the U.S. education system.