New Haven Independent

Lincoln Bassett School in New Haven welcomed a delegation of 40 principals in Training from Taoyuan County, Taiwan, on April 2, 2009. Conducting a two-week, five-state tour of the U.S. educational system, plans included stops in New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. Taiwan has spent the last six years laying the foundation for their children’s future by investing 100 billion NT (approx. $35 billion U.S.) in education.

The Taiwanese delegation observed the Comer Model being implemented at Lincoln Bassett School. The Comer Model, a school development program, promotes the collaboration of parents, educators, and community to improve social, emotional, and academic outcomes for children that, in turn, helps them achieve greater school success. Dr. Faye Brown, serving as the Director of Child and Adolescent Development for the School Development Program, spoke to the group and gave an in-depth presentation of how the model is applied in the educational setting. This team approach to education helped to develop positive working relationships between Lincoln Bassett, Yale University, and the Yale Nurse’s Association, among others. This concept has also improved the educational environment in more than 500 schools throughout America.

Principal Ramona Gatison led the future principals on a tour of the school’s classrooms to observe the model in progress. The Taiwanese educators observed cross-cultural work permeating lesson plans along with the READ 180 lab which focuses on reading intervention in small group instruction. Extremely impressed to see students’ work, art, and accomplishments decorating the halls, the visitors were also treated to music selections from the Lincoln Bassett Band.

Principal Gatison was proud of her staff and students stating, “The outcome of the visit was phenomenal and thus an international partnership with the Taiwan Department of Education and Dr. Chen has been formed. Education is a universal connection and thrives on collaboration.”