FY 2015 Teacher Exchange Program

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Executive Summary: The Office of Global Educational Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State, announces an open competition for up to three assistance awards to administer components of the Office's Teacher Exchange Program in Fiscal Year 2015. Public and private non-profit organizations or consortia or other combinations of eligible organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to cooperate with the Bureau in the administration of the Teacher Exchange Program as categorized below. To facilitate effective communication between ECA's Teacher Exchange Branch (ECA/A/S/X) and the organization(s) cooperating on these programs, applicant organizations should have offices and staffs located in Washington, D.C. at the time of application. The Bureau’s Teacher Exchange Program advances the State Department goals of education diplomacy and outreach to youth by improving education around the world. The program enhances the teaching and technology skills of primary and secondary teachers from the United States and critical partner countries worldwide and prepares students for living in a globalized world. Participating international teachers, often women from rural and urban underserved areas, take home and integrate new and innovative methods and share authentic information about the U.S. with their students, colleagues, and communities. The program provides opportunities for U.S. teachers to teach, observe best practices overseas, pursue individualized research and develop courses. These opportunities allow K-12 teacher alumni to bring global content and insights from outstanding education systems to U.S. classrooms, schools and communities. Participating teachers help students become responsib le citizens, engage in critical thinking and develop problem solving skills, and improve their proficiency of English abroad and critical foreign languages in the U.S. The Teacher Exchange Program offers a significant multiplier effect as U.S. and international teachers return home to share knowledge and skills with thousands of students over the course of their careers.

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