U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to Deliver Keynote Address at Third International Congress on Vocational and Professional Education and Training
Extends visit to explore
world-renowned Swiss apprenticeship model, K-12 and vocational education in the
Netherlands and U.K.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy
DeVos will deliver the keynote address at the third International Congress on
Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) in Winterthur,
Switzerland this week. The remarks will
kick off a ten day multi-stop learning tour including the exploration of apprenticeship
programs in Switzerland, both vocational and primary school education in the
Netherlands and the move towards a decentralized, school-led K-12 education
system in the United Kingdom.
“There is
much to learn from our European counterparts as they continue to advance
education options centered on the needs of individual students and focused on
their ability to succeed in the modern economy,” said Secretary DeVos. “The
proof is in the results as Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom
continue to out-perform American students on the Program for International
Student Assessment (PISA). I look forward to this important opportunity to
learn from European education leaders and to exchange ideas on how to ensure
America’s students have access to the lifelong learning journey that will put
them on the path to success.”
All school visits and meetings are
closed to the express except for the International Congress on Vocational and
Professional Education and Training.
The agenda
for the multi-stop tour is as follows:
SWITZERLAND: Vocational
education and training is an integral part of the Swiss education system with
close ties to the labor market, frequently combining apprenticeships and
classroom instruction. Apprenticeships
are highly valued and competitive in Switzerland where 65% of students in upper
secondary education are enrolled in pre-vocational or vocational programs.
Among those who choose vocational programs, ninety-three percent are enrolled in joint vocational
programs combining school and work-based elements.
Wednesday, June 6 (Zurich)
Visit University
of Teacher Education
Zurich
Briefing on
apprenticeships by Dr. Ursula Renold, foremost Swiss expert on Career and
Technical Education
Thursday,
June 7 (Winterthur and Zurich)
Deliver keynote address at International
Congress on Vocational and Professional Education & Training
Visit University of Applied Sciences with Federal Councilor and Minister
for Economic Affairs, Education, and Research Johann Schneider-Ammann
Visit Vocational Baccalaureate School and Career Counseling Centre biz Winterthur
Meeting with State Secretary for Education, Research and
Innovation Dr. Mauro Dell’Ambrogio
Roundtable discussion with business leaders
Friday, June 8
(Zurich)
Visit Libs Training Centre, followed by visit to ABB
NETHERLANDS: The Dutch have a wide
range of educational options from which students can choose as well as a strong
vocational education system with a high graduation rate and good career preparation. The majority of Dutch K-12 schools are publicly supported private schools.
Monday, June 11
(Rotterdam and The Hague)
Visit Imelda Primary School
Meet with Minister of Education, Culture and Science Ingrid van Engleshoven
Meet and greet with Fulbright Distinguished Teachers
Participate in Ambassador’s Roundtable on School Choice,
Administration and Funding
Tuesday, June 12
(Amsterdam)
Visit cultural heritage sites for tour and peer-to-peer education
program
Visit Teeken (Drawing) School
Visit MBO College Westpoort/ROC Amsterdam (vocational and technical education)
Roundtable with IMC
Weekend School
students
UNITED KINGDOM: The U.K. is currently in the process of major vocational and
education reform aiming to substantially increase the quality and quantity of
apprenticeships in England. The government also has initiated a number of K-12
reforms that allow for a more diverse school system that serves the individual
needs of students, no matter their background. These reforms include greater
autonomy for schools and increased parental choice.
Wednesday, June 13
(London)
Meet with Lord Theodore Agnew, Parliamentary Under
Secretary of State for the School System at the Department for Education
Visit Grey Coat Hospital School
Attend reception with Fulbright and Sutton Trust Scholars
Thursday, June 14
(London)
Meet with UK Secretary of State Damian Hinds
Briefing with Director of Employer and Employee
Engagement Sue Husband
Visit Westminster Kingsway College
Visit Pimlico Primary School
Meet with Minister of State for School Standards Nick
Gibb
Friday, June 15
(London)
Visit Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Music
Education Hub/Oratory Roman Catholic Primary School accompanied by Richard Russell, COO
of Arts Council England
Visit Royal Ballet School
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