Two Centuries of French Education in New York

Description

The globalization of schooling has become a lively focus for research in the field of international education; however, few scholars have looked at specific model “global” schools. This history of French schools outside of France, and specifically French schools in New York, proposes that the network of over 490 French schools in 130 countries constitutes a fruitful field of research into globalization in practice in elementary and secondary education. A case study of the Lycée Français de New York (1935 – present) and other French schools in New York explores how the French national education system functions not only beyond the hexagon of France itself, but also beyond the strictly colonial “civilizing mission” that was advanced by French schools in both French colonies and former colonies. The history of these New York schools, dating back to the early nineteenth century, also provides insights into French cultural diplomacy and the changing nature of Franco-American relations through the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries.

About the Author

Jane Flatau Ross is an educator with over 40 years’ experience in the field of international education, including a long career at the Lycée Français de New York. She is the founder and President of the French Heritage Language Program, an organization that provides French language instruction and support to Francophone immigrants in the United States.

Jane received her BA from Swarthmore College, majoring in history and French, her MA from Hunter College in English, and a PhD in International Education from New York University.

Jane is the co-author of a number of scholarly papers and book chapters concerning the development of French Heritage Language programs, bilingual and dual language initiatives. She was awarded the Legion of Honor and the Palmes Académiques by the French government for her service to French education.