IB: Listen to business leaders

The Committee for Economic Development (CED) is a business organization composed of chairmen, presidents, and senior executives of major American corporations. Their report on US educational needs for the twenty-first century entitled “Education for Global Leadership” (www.ced.org) states:

“Full participation in this new global-economy will require not just competency in reading, mathematics and science, but also proficiency in foreign languages and deeper knowledge of other countries and cultures. Our efforts in education reform must be harmonized with global realities if we are to confront successfully a multitude of new and growing challenges to America’s security and prosperity.

“We are now at a critical moment in our history. The Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks demonstrated to many Americans that movements from across the globe impact our country in ways never before imagined. Despite America’s status as an economic, military and cultural superpower, we risk becoming narrowly confined within our own borders, lacking the understanding of the world around us that is essential to our continued leadership role in the world community.

“The day has long passed when a citizen could afford to be uninformed about the rest of the world and America’s place in that world. CED therefore believes it is critical to ensure that all students become globally competent citizens who will lead our country in the twenty-first century.”

Think the IB program would benefit our children?

Unfortunately, narrow-minded fear-mongers want to deny our children the educational opportunity to become the informed citizens of a resurgent America that can lead the world.

PAUL VALANOFF

Coeur d’Alene