Who we are: CISP Matters
The California International Studies Project inspires and empowers teachers, students, administrators, policy-makers, and community partners to act ethically for the greater good in an ever-changing world. CISP creates space and opportunity to nurture the ongoing development of global citizens who value acting out of love for community, collaboration across cultures, critical thinking, and creative solutions to complex issues. CISP maintains connected communities of practice through high-quality professional development and resources. The organization develops, supports, and presents model programs that utilize research-based practices and authentic inquiry learning methods to help students develop the necessary knowledge and skills to make ethical decisions, participate in addressing local and global challenges, and contribute meaningful solutions to problems of today and the future. CISP staff is committed to finding peaceful solutions to the world’s problems through education, professional learning, and a deep sense of purpose.
What we do: Students Matter
CISP leads California in promoting and developing global education to ensure that all students in California are competent 21st century citizens capable of contributing to their local and global community alike. Around the state, teachers engage students in practices that demonstrate inquiry learning, such as project-based, discovery, or experiential learning, to interact with the world from a standpoint of respect for multiple perspectives, openness for mutual understanding, evidence-based decision-making, and informed individual action. Students develop understanding and skills related to flexibility and adaptability, which are hallmarks of today’s ever-changing world. All students are learning that peoples of the world are living in places that are both specific and interconnected. They recognize the value of history, culture, and geography in their interdisciplinary studies of local and global issues. These studies afford students multiple opportunities to develop empathy and voice. Students simultaneously identify and anticipate the consequences of actions and implications of non-action in a world defined by change. Across grade levels and subject areas, inside and outside of school, students act in accordance with an innate sense of global awareness and understanding. Students become adept in identifying problems as well as proposing and enacting solutions that promote a peaceful world.
Who we serve: Teachers Matter
CISP leads high quality, research-based, effective professional learning communities engaged in a variety of professional activities, including research, field study, study abroad, curriculum development, consultation, presentation, and coaching. Teacher Leaders are model educators for global studies who provide leadership, creativity, inspiration, support, and resources to form a strong statewide network that serves as a model of excellence. Teachers are empowered to prepare and present meaningful learning experiences that engage students in learning about, and with, others in a global community. Like their students, teachers are curious and concerned about local and global issues and seek to acquire, organize, and analyze information before drawing conclusions that lead to positive actions. Teachers ask compelling questions of themselves, their colleagues, their students, and society, and maintain the perspective and disposition of learner.
How we serve: Leadership Matters
CISP is a well known and highly respected “go-to” organization for teachers, schools, districts, and education partners committed to developing and supporting global citizenship for all (students, educators, families, community partners). CISP helps define global literacy for educators and students in California, and leads statewide efforts to promote global awareness, understanding, and competency in school-based programs. Data and outcomes generated as a result of CISP programs attract enough funding and political/social support to build a solid infrastructure allowing for robust sites throughout our state. Accepting and addressing change is a core feature of CISP leadership and mirrors the world in which we live, the world for which we must prepare educators, and the world in which our students will flourish.
