Seeking lessons in China
School chief’s exploratory trip could mean more options for students
There’s a good reason Buffalo School Superintendent James A. Williams should travel to China to foster educational links, even though Buffalo is the third-poorest city in America. It’s that Buffalo shouldn’t stay the third-poorest city forever.
Criticism on those grounds of Williams’ 11-day trip, and of a possible exchange program or “immersion” school on those grounds, is misplaced. This century will bring even greater global competition, and city school students must be ready to compete. It’s hard to fault administrative moves that might help them.
Williams, who is scheduled to attend the International Forum for Education Thursday through Sunday in Shanghai, is taking a bold step. Local businesses already have contacted the district in support of the concept and precedents already exist: the Makowski Early Childhood Center, City Honors and the Olmsted School already have courses in Mandarin Chinese and teachers have traveled from Buffalo to China.
When China reached out to Williams, the superintendent was right to capitalize on the honor. This excursion could eventually result in an institution within the city school system that will attract attention from parents who want their children to receive specialized education. For a struggling district with about 35,000 students—and one losing more and more each day as people migrate out of the city or into charter or private schools—attracting or retaining students is important.
At worst, the trip will facilitate a cross-cultural and educational exchange—with the kick-off this fall building upon the foundation of China-Buffalo links forged by local colleges, universities and private schools—that would allow more students from China to travel here with the possibility of students from Buffalo traveling to Asia.
If an immersion school were to happen, it would enroll 300 to 500 students and could be in operation within a few years. An exchange program would allow high school juniors and seniors from Buffalo to spend an academic year or summer in China, and educators from China could travel to Buffalo to take part in a Leadership Academy.
School Board President Ralph Hernandez, though, wants more local problems solved first. He is concerned with what he described as a problem-plagued “English language learners” program. He has a valid point, and Williams and his team have an obligation to serve students right here at home.
But as difficult as it may be, a dynamic school system must balance such immediate concerns with sound preparation for an even more challenging future. In China, where after- school programs tally results significantly better than the kind of activities programs here, both the long term and short term are being considered. Buffalo should do no less.
Such partnerships are not new in Buffalo, where private schools have also hosted students from China and are exploring an expansion of such programs. Local colleges and universities, especially the University at Buffalo, have strong programs and could be a key local partner. Buffalo State College, Medaille and others also have students from China, and such ties are promoted at the private Park School in Snyder. Apparently, Binghamton University and the Binghamton public school system also are interested.
There is no lack of work to be done on city schools’ existing problems, but the global competition will materialize whether or not local school systems are ready. Exploring that future is a good idea, and the superintendent’s time will be well spent in the effort.
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