Strategic Initiatives Work Session Update May 24, 2017

Alabama-Korea Education and Economic Partnership (AKEEP) AKEEP’s primary mission is providing multicultural diversity EDUCATION programs to the students and professionals of Alabama and Korea. The secondary mission is bridging the differences between institutions and corporations of Alabama and Korea for local ECONOMIC prosperity as a Global Partnership Facilitator. The Alabama-Korea Education and Economic Partnership is organized in the United States under IRS as a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization.

Korean Industry in Alabama The large influx of Korean manufacturers has brought great opportunity for Alabama and its citizens. With these great opportunities have also come great challenges. Any large-scale influx of one culture into another is sure to bring misunderstandings and friction. This is particularly true of Alabama’s rural population merging with Koreans who come from the densely populated, highly industrialized Gyeongsang Province and/or Koreans in general. AKEEP’s founders have witnessed and worked to overcome these cultural differences and resulting friction, their work naturally led to the formation of the Alabama-Korea Education Economic Partnership. The Executive Director is Mesoon Han, who has helped implement AKEEP since its inception.

Progress U.S. Department of Education “Culturally Linguistic Active Regions” grant application for professional development Monthly board meetings Halcyon School Visits Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs Korean Language Classes Korean Teachers/Immigration Visa Discussion/Certifications

SSA Conference Peggy Carr, Acting Commissioner, National Center for Education Statistics Terry Mazany, Chairman of the National Assessment Governing Board Lisa Stooksberry, Deputy Executive Director of the National Assessment Governing Board Chasidy White, National Assessment Governing Board Member, Assessment Development

NAGB Quarterly Meeting May 2018 Montgomery, Alabama http://www.nagb.org

Rural School Initiative Rural School & Community Trust Beyond Textbooks: Being geographically isolated doesn’t have to be a barrier to high academic achievement. Rural School Achievement Grant Application

Superintendent’s Teacher Cabinet The purpose is to provide a direct avenue of communication with the state superintendent. Two meetings each semester Outreach events Dream Big!