Photos Secretary Paige and Irish Minister of Education Dempsey meet at the Blair House in Washington, D.C.

As part of their ongoing collaboration on education issues, U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige and Irish Minister of Education Noel Dempsey today expanded their partnership by signing an agreement at the Blair House in Washington that focuses on issues affecting children with special needs, particularly autism.

The expanded partnership builds upon the two countries' 2000 agreement, or "Memorandum of Understanding," and focuses on sharing research and information related to children with special education needs. It also calls for joint efforts in the use of assistive technology and rehabilitation engineering for students with disabilities, especially to help them make successful transitions from school to work. In addition, both Ireland and the United States intend to share best practices and collaborate on professional development for teachers, especially special education personnel, through teacher exchanges and distance-based training programs.

"No child should be left behind, including children with disabilities," Paige said. "By joining together to share experiences, research and new ideas, educators in Ireland and the U.S. will be better able to serve students who have mental, physical and emotional challenges-a historically underserved population in terms of education.

"This agreement represents another chapter in a long history of cooperative ventures between our nations. This is an opportunity to help many young people on both sides of the Atlantic, and I am confident that we will accomplish great things with this agreement and give all children the quality education they deserve."

"The signing of this new annex provides us with the unique opportunity to reflect on and articulate the priorities currently being pursued by our two administrations," Dempsey said. "I am sure that our actions today will provide an even greater dynamism for cooperation in our common interest, which is to ensure a world-class education system to equip our citizens, young and old, for full and active participation in society."

In June, Secretary Paige visited with Secretary Dempsey in Ireland and discussed possible collaboration between the two nations on several education-related issues, including special education.

The signing ceremony was part of International Education Week 2003, an annual celebration of the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of State to promote programs that prepare Americans for a world economy.

This year's International Education Week celebration, "No Child Left Behind: International Education Is for Everyone," runs through Nov. 21 and is the most ambitious commemoration to date, with activities emphasizing the benefits of world studies for all children, including students with disabilities, English language learners and disadvantaged students. Wednesday's activities focus on special education and disabilities, with Paige and Dempsey delivering opening remarks at a conference focused on autism.

Other International Education Week 2003 activities include digital videoconferences between students in the United States, Egypt, Ireland, Mexico and South Africa, a roundtable discussion about international partnerships on disabilities and a digital videoconference "game show" between students in New Zealand and Virginia Beach, Va. Secretary Paige also participated in the Goldman Sachs Foundation Prizes for Excellence in International Education.

For more information about International Education Week 2003, please visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/edlite-iew.html

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