CISP conducts a statewide project to prepare high school World History teachers for leadership roles in engaging average-achieving students, students who tend to have little interest in World History or commitment to school. The Contemporary World History Project (CWHP) operates at two levels -- a multiyear knowledge and skills development program for participating teachers plus a computer-assisted, international negotiation simulation for their students.

The CWHP teacher development process strengthens teachers' knowledge of academic content standards in the modern World History (Grade 9 or 10) curriculum, links historical knowledge to contemporary world problems, examines national policies from the perspectives of various nations, incorporates technology into instructional practice, and develops teamwork study practices and conflict management skills. Participating teachers are supported with curriculum resource materials, an e-mail communication network, and regular coaching in the application of project content and instructional practice in their own classrooms.

The students of participating CWHP teachers use standards-aligned curriculum materials to study contemporary world problems in their historical context during the early part of the academic year. In the spring, the students become "diplomats" and represent the policies of a nation in order to resolve real world problems with counterparts in other high schools. They send e-mail diplomatic messages and conduct on-line negotiating sessions before meeting at a Global Forum -- a one-day, face-to-face negotiation on a university campus to try to bring closure to their extended exchanges.

CWHP is currently offered through regional CISP sites in both Northern and Southern California. Three separate clusters of participating students, teachers and schools are organized through two locations. Information may be obtained from:

Los Angeles Center for Intl Studies (Los Angeles Area)
Bay Area Global Education Program (San Francisco Bay Area)

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