UNICEF Macedonia Partners with Seward Incorporated and MIDEC to Conduct an Inclusive Education Study
The Minnesota International Development Education Consortium, Seward Incorporated, and UNICEF Macedonia study will review the inclusiveness of education in Macedonia, along with challenges and possible solutions for its improvement.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, February 19, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- UNICEF Macedonia is partnering with Seward Incorporated and the Minnesota International Development Education Consortium (MIDEC) to assess the overall inclusiveness of education in Macedonia. Inclusive policy and practices allow for students of diverse backgrounds and abilities to obtain the benefits of national education systems. MIDEC is an affiliation of three organizations: Miske Witt and Associates, Seward Incorporated, and the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development. Dr. Christopher Johnstone from the University of Minnesota is leading the MIDEC team in conducting the study. Seward is managing the MIDEC team members working on the project.

The study takes a systems-level view of Macedonian education. This view of policy and practices will provide a better understanding of the level of inclusiveness, the challenges Macedonia faces in implementing inclusive education, and possible interventions for overcoming these challenges. The study investigators will try to better understand: enrollment and completion (addresses acceptance of students); achievement (addresses pedagogy); system-wide inclusivity; and teacher preparation and training for inclusive education. The final report will outline recommendations for capacity-building and infrastructure to support inclusive education in Macedonia, as well as recommendations for improved delivery of child-centered pedagogy in Macedonian schools.

Since 2000, Seward Incorporated has been actively involved in international education projects on five continents. These projects have involved inclusive education, in-service teacher professional development, pre-service teacher training, curriculum development, and educational technology. Most recently, Dr. Johnstone and Seward worked together on a successful national reform study related to inclusive education assessment and program development in the Latin America/Caribbean region.

Please visit the Seward International web site for more information: international.sewardinc.com.

About MIDEC
The Minnesota International Development Education Consortium (MIDEC) is an affiliation of three organizations: Miske Witt and Associates, Seward Incorporated, and the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development. Using the resources of two private consulting firms and one major public university, MIDEC consortium members have successfully implemented change in all corners of the world and at all levels of education.

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Vicky Frank
Seward Inc.
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USA 55404
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