When the Multicultural Learning Center (MLC) was recently announced as one of three public schools in California, and the only Los Angeles-based public charter, being recognized with the 2018 Education for a Global Economy Award from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, we were surprised – kind of.
Our surprise was in the small number of schools recognized for this type of in-depth learning program. With the world economy becoming more interconnected and cultural exchanges of ideas, technologies and traditions more commonplace, we remain proud of the fact that MLC has created a niche learning experience to help them with their perspectives on these issues as early as elementary school.
Families throughout California are finding more opportunities to expand their child(ren)’s learning experience with a variety of new and challenging types of public school programs available – all free and all a part of our state’s public education system.
One reason the MLC curriculum stood out is the focus and attention to bringing together a diverse community of learners using cultural differences as the building blocks for academic, social and intrapersonal success. The goal is to have students learn in two languages, simultaneously, the universal teachings of math, science and engineering and merge them with a broad view on cultural understanding to advance a student’s knowledge of the world by furthering promising practices in global education.
The recognition by the State of California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction and the grant given by the California Department of Education (CDE) is a validation of MLC’s efforts to model, improve, and sustain Global Education, thus preparing students to live, work, and thrive in a multicultural, multilingual, and highly connected world.
Whether it is language arts, music and arts or a STEM/STEAM program, we as educators and parents should strive to prepare our children to understand and embrace cultural differences and encourage them to take on a role in the global economy as a global citizen using their education and skills to the maximum.
Along with being recognized as a leading program in global education programs, MLC has also earned the title of mentor school, serving as a model school/program to help others establish or further their own programs in public schools within the state.
This is a high honor, one we will strive to advance on behalf of our students and to continue to showcase to other public schools the importance global education plays in the development of a student and their ability to create a positive perspective of the world around them now and into their academic and professional future.
Gayle Nadler