This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Learning from the American school system
16/10/2006
High achieving American schools that stretch the very best pupils in subjects like maths, science and technology are going to become familiar with the sight of Scotland's First Minister this week.
In the past Mr McConnell has visited a number of US schools in neighbourhoods with high crime and social problems which were using creative methods to address the challenges associated with this.
This week he will visit schools in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington DC at the top end of the spectrum to see if any of the practices they use can help to improve Scotland's schools and, in the words of the First Minister, 'stretch our best pupils so that they become the best of the best'.
The First Minister is to be accompanied on his visit by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools, Graham Donaldson, and the Director of CBI Scotland, Iain McMillan.
He pointed out that this was a new approach to be accompanied overseas by such a 'formidable pairing' but said it was an indication of how serious Scotland is about improving schools and growing the economy, and just how willing the likes of the HMIE and CBI are to lend their expertise and go out of their way to help.
Today the First Minister launched the Executive's US Strategy which was recently approved by the Scottish Cabinet. It was launched in Los Angeles and California will be one fo the priority US states.
The strategy will set out clear targets in areas such as American tourists coming to Scotland and getting more Americans to live and work in Scotland. It will also pinpoint seven US states where Scotland will focus our efforts over the next five years.
First Minister Jack McConnell said:
"Scotland's prospects for the future will be dictated by the standard of our schools and the education we can provide for our children. We are making real progress in Scotland and have one of the best education systems in the world. But I want us to have the best education system in the world.
"In the past, I have visited schools in America where they have been trying new things to tackle the problems that come with high crime areas and social problems. This has been very useful, but this time I want to focus on high achieving schools that are stretching the brightest pupils in areas such as maths and science. I want to see if they are doing something that we can learn from. Something that will enable us to stretch our best pupils so that they become the best of the best.
"I want to seek out best practice and new ideas where it might help us improve our schools. Since devolution, attainment in Scottish schools has been rising. But we can't rest on our laurels when other nations are also ambitious and recognise the value of education. That is why I am here this week and why I wanted to have Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools with me. We want the best for Scotland's children but we also need to be sure that any reforms are workable in a Scottish context and improve upon what we already have.
"Iain McMillan of CBI Scotland is also lending his support and along with Graham they make a formidable pairing. I thank them for their assistance and it is another indication of how serious we are about improving our schools and growing our economy, and just how willing the likes of the HMIE and CBI are to lend their expertise and go out of their way to help."
Graham Donaldson, Senior Chief Inspector at HMIE, said:
"We live in an increasingly complex, interdependent and competitive world. Scotland's education system has a crucial part to play in ensuring that our population has the skills and the confidence for continued and future success.
"The strength of our education system is recognised and respected internationally but we need to continue to improve and that means actively looking at best practice across the world. I am very much looking forward to having the opportunity to meet colleagues in the United States and to see what they are doing at first hand.
"I am delighted to be able to accompany the First Minister on this visit and to consider with him what lessons can be learned from the United States."
Iain McMillan, Director of CBI Scotland, said:
"CBI Scotland very much supports the First Minister's ambition to project modern Scotland in the world today. Our visit to businesses and schools in the US will serve that purpose well and open up new areas of cooperation and dialogue."