The American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE) honored MSUs College of Education with its Best Practice Award for Global and International Teacher Education on February 1, 2006. The award, sponsored by AACTEs Committee on Global and International Teacher Education, recognizes exemplary practice in preparing education professionals for work in intercultural, global, cross-cultural, and international settings. The award was presented at AACTEs 58th Annual Meeting in San Diego, January 29February 1. The College of Education has had a longstanding commitment to international education with projects throughout the world and among the most comprehensive study abroad programs in education in the country. The AACTE Award for International Education is a wonderful honor for the College of Education and Michigan State University, said Carole Ames, dean of the College of Education. "We have a long history of international involvement and we have placed a substantial emphasis over the years on the international dimensions of K-12 teaching and learning. We have forged strong ties to the Office of International Studies and Programs here on campus and we have developed innovative programs that link our students and Michigan teachers to educators around the world. In an increasingly interconnected world, these linkages are more important than ever, and recognition by AACTE is an indication of the outstanding work by our first-rate faculty and staff. AACTE, based in Washington, D.C., is a national, voluntary association of colleges and universities with undergraduate or graduate programs that prepare professional educators. The 785 AACTE member institutions graduate approximately 90 percent of the nations new teachers and other educators each year. Previous institutional recipients of the international award include Indiana University, Ohio State University, and Ball State University.

Victor Inzunza