Principles of Good Practice: Educating for Global Citizenship and International Mindedness

View this PGP as a PDF file.

Preamble: The following principles provide common ground for interaction between independent school professionals and their many constituents (parents, students, colleagues at other schools, and the public). The NAIS Principles of Good Practice for member schools define high standards and ethical behavior in key areas of school operations to guide schools in becoming the best education communities they can be, to embed the expectation of professionalism, and to further our sector’s core values of transparency, excellence, and inclusivity. Accordingly, membership in NAIS is contingent upon agreement to abide by the spirit of the PGPs.

Overview: Independent schools are in a unique position to prepare students to be global citizens, individuals who are knowledgeable, compassionate, ethical, curious, and internationally minded leaders within a dynamically interconnected world.

Principles of Good Practice:

1. The school demonstrates a commitment to global education and international mindedness through its strategic plan and policy statements.
2. The school supports and shows evidence of learning and teaching that challenges students to expand their perspectives and understanding of the world they live in, including foreign language acquisition, cross-cultural communication, collaboration, global problem-solving, creative thinking, ethical and empathic decision making, and recognizing different perspectives, among others.
3. The school fosters a climate of respect for all peoples and cultures.
4. The school actively seeks opportunities that promote global awareness, intercultural experiences, transnational exchange, travel, and collaboration for its students, faculty, and administrators.
5. The school emphasizes the value of intercultural communication and commitment to ethical action and service locally, nationally, and globally, and at all grade levels.
6. The school embraces diversity and promotes an environment of inclusivity and belonging for students, teachers, and administrators from a range of cultural, national, religious, and ethnic backgrounds.
7. The school supports professional learning opportunities for faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders that develop global awareness, knowledge, and understanding.