| The purpose of this study is to provide data which will enable educators in Arizona, through global education assessment, to make concrete decisions regarding perceptions that can be utilized in enhancing the existing curriculum by the use of global education. The main emphasis of the study was to assess the perception of educators in Arizona from kindergarten through college of the influence of global education upon human understanding.Much of the existing literature views global education as a means to strengthen our public education system by teaching about culture, heritage, social conditions and the world. This study's focus is on educators making a difference towards understanding humankind.This is unique in that it assesses the influence of global education on education statewide. Unlike previous studies of global education which consider the perception of only one or two groups, this concept of global education is driven by all levels of educators in the state of Arizona--elementary, secondary and college levels.This research is primarily descriptive in nature, however, assessment of perception was made across three sub-population groups: Elementary, Secondary and College groups. Because a stratified selection of educators were used, a survey approach was utilized as the research procedure. For each of the items used in the instrument of educator respondents, a chi-square and test of significance was conducted.The contribution that this study makes is in the analysis of global education data. The data presented, looking at sub-group means in the global education areas gives a general impression of the influence of global education.As the data were broken apart and analyzed, important patterns emerged. This information provides more specific guidance in assessing global education in each group.This study suggests that there is value as well as much that could be accomplished by further developing theory, research, improving curriculum, and providing more data that may have a greater impact on our educational system in Arizona. |
