New partnership enriches state's educational curricula

Washington, D.C. - Peace Corps announces a new partnership between the Peace Corps Coverdell World Wise Schools program and the Delaware Department of Education, the first educational partnership of its kind between the Peace Corps and a U.S. state.

The partnership will capitalize upon the Peace Corps experience and the resources of the World Wise Schools program to bring a variety of free cross-cultural educational materials and resources into Delaware classrooms.

The idea of a partnership seemed a natural fit: The Peace Corps Coverdell World Wise Schools program provides free cross-cultural educational materials to U.S. teachers, and the Delaware Department of Education incorporates the study of language and international studies into its curriculum throughout the state.

Says Dr. Gregory Fulkerson, Education Associate, World Languages and International Education for the Delaware Department of Education, "Collaborating with the Peace Corps' Coverdell World Wise Schools helps to internationalize learning in Delaware. Their resources and programs provide Delaware educators and students with meaningful, real-world contexts for learning in all content areas."

Dr. Fulkerson and his staff are working to incorporate World Wise Schools materials and services into the Delaware curriculum. To date, the current curricula for social studies, world languages, and visual arts all incorporate aspects of the World Wise Schools program. Collaborative efforts are now in place not only for Delaware's K-12 classrooms, but also for curriculum coordinators at Delaware State University and the University of Delaware.

In addition to the written and recorded stories and lessons offered by the Peace Corps World Wise Schools program and made available to educators for classroom use, the agency's Correspondence Match program is being promoted to education leaders in Delaware. That program matches U.S. educators with Peace Corps volunteers in the field on a one-to-one basis, facilitating the exchange of photographs, reports, stories, artifacts, and videos that help expand the geographic and cultural horizons of students in U.S. classrooms.

Collaborative agreements between the Peace Corps World Wise Schools program and a number of other states are under consideration.

The Peace Corps is celebrating a 46-year legacy of service at home and abroad. Currently there are more than 8,000 Volunteers abroad, a 37-year high for Volunteers in the field. Since 1961, more than 190,000 Volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries where Volunteers have served. Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.

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