Fulbright U.S. Education Center

I’m here at the NAFSA: Association of International Educators conference in Los Angeles.   There is a great deal of interest in educational exchange between the United States and Korea.  Two topics that are receiving considerable attention in panels and presentations this year are (1) the internet and cyber-promotion and delivery of education and (2) the growing number of state and regional consortia being formed to help promote education in the U.S.   Just yesterday I learned that a “Study Rhode Island” consortia has been formed consisting of eight RI universities and colleges.   This morning (Thursday) I’m going to attend a session that discusses the role of government in consortia, such as the new Study New York group that is being formed.   More on this in later posts.

A note to the many people I’ve met at NAFSA:  please return to this blog for information on South Korea’s education sector and feel free to submit your comments, advice and questions.

The heavy reliance of South Korean students on private educational institutes to supplement what they learn in public schools is a major news item these days.  As reported in the Joongang Daily, “The Education Ministry and lawmakers from the ruling Grand National Party yesterday agreed to withdraw the proposal by a high-ranking Blue House official to prohibit private education institutes, or hagwon, from having classes after 10 p.m., ending a month-long controversy. ”

However, the same meeting to resolve the matter also produced a range of reform measures on the admissions system for foreign language and science high schools, as part of the government’s agenda to battle private-education fever.   This remains a major issue in South Korea’s education sector.