CITIZENS
for
Limited Taxation & Government

CLT&G

"For the Children"
Education Project


Massachusetts Senators, Educators
Travel to China for Training


SENATOR ROBERT A. ANTONIONI
WORCESTER AND MIDDLESEX DISTRICT

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

MASSACHUSETTS SENATE
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON 02138-1058

 

May 20, 1998


A delegation of Massachusetts Education, Arts and Humanities leaders has been invited to participate in a special People to People study mission to the People's Republic of China in November. The primary objective of this trip is to understand the Chinese government's policy and role in education relative to academic standards, funding, and teacher development.

Senator Marian Walsh and I, member and Senate chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Education, Arts and Humanities respectively, will be serving as co-leaders for this delegation. We are pleased to extend a personal invitation for you to join us in this exclusive People to People endeavor. Your particular expertise would contribute to the success of our visit.

Traveling with this People to People delegation will provide a remarkable opportunity to increase our understanding of the Chinese culture, attitudes and educational system, especially in light of education reform efforts in Massachusetts. The insight to be gained will enrich our pending discussions on accountability, affordability, and accessibility at all levels of our education system. Site visits and meetings with our professional counterparts will be invaluable in understanding the Chinese culture and educational values.

Relevant topics suggested for discussion and study include:

As indicated in the enclosed itinerary, we will depart Los Angeles November 7, and return November 21,1998. In addition to our professional exchanges, we will also take part in cultural and sightseeing programs. Spouses, guests and colleagues are also invited and encouraged to participate in our visit to Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Canton, and Hong Kong.

Expenses associated with this project may qualify for a deduction as a business or educational expense to maintain or improve professional skills. Participants should consult with their tax advisor to determine whether deductibility is applicable. Please contact Ms. Kristi Wheeldon, the program coordinator at American People Ambassador Programs it you have interest or questions regarding this mission. You may contact her at 800-669-7882 (ext. 422) in the Pacific time zone, or by e-mail: kristiw@ambassadors.com. I encourage you to respond at your earliest convenience.

The vastness of China is impressive; participating in this mission will give us the opportunity to observe many aspects of its cultural and geographical diversity. I hope that you will give serious consideration to joining the delegation. The personal and professional benefits will be very rewarding.

Very truly yours,
ROBERT ANTONIONI
State Senator

People to People Ambassador Programs
MASSACHUSETTS EDUCATION, ARTS AND HUMANITIES LEADERS
TO THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Delegation Leader: The Honorable Robert Antonioni
Chair, Massachusetts State Senate Education, Arts and Humanities Committee

PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
Since his election to the State Senate in 1992, Sen...Antonioni has sponsored and overseen the passage of a major reform of the drunk driving laws, the implementation of a statewide sex offender registry law, and a significant juvenile justice reform bill.

November 7-9, 1998
Delegation convenes in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7. Following an optional reception and briefing program, we depart for Beijing, China, arriving mid-morning, Monday, November 9. (B,L,D)

BEIJING
Beijing, still called Peking by some in the West, governs more than 3.5 million square miles of territory and more than 20 percent of the world's population.

November 10
Morning meetings with representatives of the State Education Commission, China's national education policy organization. We will receive an overview of the Chinese education system and discuss the role of the central government in establishing national standards and goals, funding of the system, and future challenges facing Chinese educators.

In the afternoon we will meet with counterparts at Beijing Normal University, China's premier education university. Discussions will cover the curriculum for teachers who will be working at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels; postgraduate continuing education available to teachers; use of technology in the classroom; and challenges facing the university as China's role in the world expands. (B,L,D)

November 11
Morning meetings with researchers from the Beijing Institute of Education, one of China's leading education research institutes. Discussions will focus on the research work of the institute; research on the education of gifted and special needs children; educational psychology; and teaching management.

Afternoon visit to the No.8 Middle School, one of Beijing's key middle schools serving 1,500 students between the ages of 12 and 18. We will meet with teachers and students for informal exchanges regarding the school and its education program, including teaching of the arts.

Late afternoon visits to Tian'anmen Square, the largest public space in the world, and the Forbidden City, which was once the residence of Ming and Qing emperors and now includes a museum and public park. (B,L,D)

November 12
Today's activities will include an excursion to the Great Wall of China, as well as the Summer Palace and surrounding temples. (B,D)

XI'AN
Xi'an was once the largest city in the world and served as the capital during eleven dynasties. In modern times it was almost forgotten until the discovery of the incredible burial site of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi.

November 13
Morning flight to. Xi'an.
Afternoon meetings with education faculty of Shaanxi Normal University. The university is one of the key regional education institutions under the State Education Commission. We will review the university's programs for continuing education for practicing teachers, and research on education administration. (B,L,D)

November 14
Morning excursion to the site of the famous life-size Qin terra cotta warriors, 6,000 figures of soldiers and horses standing guard over the tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi (the first emperor of a united China) and facing east in preparation for battle. This afternoon we will visit the Drum Tower and the Great Mosque. (BRD)

GUILIN
Praised in numerous literary works, inscriptions, and paintings, Cuilin is lauded by many Chinese and foreigners alike as the most beautiful place In China.

November 15
Morning flight to Guilin.
Afternoon cultural introduction to the city, including tours of Fubo Hill and the Reed Flute Cave. (B,L,D)

November 16
Today we will enjoy a leisurely cruise on the Li River, which winds past such unusual rock formations as the Lotus-flower Crag and Elephant Trunk Hill, The unique karst landscape and solitude of the villages combine to give the impression of a living scroll painting. Evening flight to Guangzhou. (B,L,D)

GUANGZHOU
On the coast of the South China Sea and not far from Hong Kong, Guangzhou is the largest and most prosperous city in southern China and an important seaport for foreign trade.

November 17
We will meet with representatives from the Guangzhou Bureau of Higher Education. Discussions will focus on the organization of the provincial education system and the impact of the restoration of Hong Kong on education along the border.

Afternoon visit to Chaotian Road Primary School. The school has been in existence for 200 years and today has 1,000 students and 60 faculty.

We will learn about the school's integration of computers into the classroom, special extracurricular courses, and academic standards. Balance of the day is reserved for a city sightseeing tour (B,D)

HONG KONG
Hong Kong, known as the "Gateway to China," is a beautiful and exciting city set amidst lush, towering mountains. A British colony until its reunification with China in September 1997, Hong Kong is one of the world's busiest and most vibrant cities,

November 18
Morning rail transfer to Hong Kong.
An orientation tour of the city will include a cruise through Victoria Harbor. (B,D)

November 19
Our delegation will meet with representatives of the Association of Government Education Administrators this morning. Discussions will cover the current structure of the education system in Hong Kong; the impact of the reunification of Hong Kong with China; challenges and opportunities being faced by school administrators, teachers, and students; the availability of technology in the average classroom; and financing of the system.

This afternoon a meeting has been requested with representatives of the Hong Kong Institute of Education. Discussions will cover the work of the institute, especially as it pertains to matching the needs of the students with the reality of the region's economy, the training of teachers of all grade levels, and the importance of students' families in their education. (B,L,D)

November 20
This morning delegates will travel to Victoria Peak for spectacular views of the city and, on clear days, mainland China. The afternoon is free to browse through Hong Kong's famous shopping districts. A farewell banquet isplanned for this evening to allow delegates to share memorable stories of the program and recap our People to People experiences. (B,D)

November 21
Departure for Los Angeles arriving the same day. (B)

A three-day extension in Hong Kong is available, Please inquire about it when registering.

This itinerary represents the types of activities that will be arranged with our Chinese hosts. As the delegation forms and the interests of the individual delegates become more apparent visits may be modified to accommodate those interests, and arrangements made by our hosts.

Program Cost
$4,350 PER PERSON from Los Angeles. This includes round-trip airfare from Los Angeles; first-class hotel arrangements; professional counterpart meetings and special site visits; sightseeing and cultural events outlined in the itinerary; all transportation between airports and hotels; and meals as outlined in the itinerary (B-breakfast, L-lunch, and D-dinner). Single rooms are available for an additional charge of $450. A deposit of $500 per person is required with registration.

A three day extension in Hong Kong is available for an additional $565.
Send registration forms and $500 deposit to:
Ms. Kristi Wheeldon, Pmgram Coordinator
American People Ambassador Program
Dwight D. Eisenhower Bldg.
110 S. Ferrall, Spokane, WA 99202
1-800-469-7882
kristiw@ambassadors.com
www.ambassadors.com

 

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