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McConnell takes US schools lesson McConnell takes US schools lesson
(about 6 hours later)
High-achieving schools in America are being toured by the first minister and chief inspector of schools to see if any lessons can be learned in Scotland. High-achieving schools in the US are being toured by the first minister and chief inspector of schools to see if any lessons can be learned in Scotland.
Jack McConnell is using the week-long trip to look for tips and has launched a strategy to encourage more Americans to visit and work in Scotland. Jack McConnell is using the week-long trip to look for tips and has launched a strategy to encourage more US citizens to visit and work in Scotland.
He is being joined by the head of business umbrella group CBI Scotland.He is being joined by the head of business umbrella group CBI Scotland.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives said Mr McConnell should follow the US in seeking to cut business rates.
Mr McConnell said the delegation showed "how serious we are about improving our schools and growing the economy".Mr McConnell said the delegation showed "how serious we are about improving our schools and growing the economy".
I want to see if they are doing something that we can learn from Jack McConnellFirst Minister
In the past, the first minister has visited a number of US schools in areas with high crime rates and social problems, which were using creative methods to address challenges.In the past, the first minister has visited a number of US schools in areas with high crime rates and social problems, which were using creative methods to address challenges.
However, this week he is touring schools at the top end of the spectrum in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington DC to see whether any practices could help improve Scotland's schools.However, this week he is touring schools at the top end of the spectrum in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington DC to see whether any practices could help improve Scotland's schools.
The bottom line is that I want us to make the most of our good relationship with the US Jack McConnellFirst Minister
Mr McConnell, who will be accompanied by Graham Donaldson of HMIE, said Scotland already had one of the best education systems in the world.Mr McConnell, who will be accompanied by Graham Donaldson of HMIE, said Scotland already had one of the best education systems in the world.
However, he added: "I want to focus on high achieving schools that are stretching the brightest pupils in areas such as maths and science.However, he added: "I want to focus on high achieving schools that are stretching the brightest pupils in areas such as maths and science.
"I want to see if they are doing something that we can learn from."I want to see if they are doing something that we can learn from.
"We want the best for Scotland's children but we also need to be sure that any reforms are workable in a Scottish context and improve upon what we already have.""We want the best for Scotland's children but we also need to be sure that any reforms are workable in a Scottish context and improve upon what we already have."
Mr Donaldson said: "The strength of our education system is recognised and respected internationally, but we need to continue to improve and that means actively looking at best practice across the world."Mr Donaldson said: "The strength of our education system is recognised and respected internationally, but we need to continue to improve and that means actively looking at best practice across the world."
We very much support the first minister's ambition to project modern Scotland in the world today Iain McMillanCBI Scotland
The first minister also used the visit to publish the Scottish Executive's US strategy.The first minister also used the visit to publish the Scottish Executive's US strategy.
Priority states It sets out targets relating to US tourists and encouraging more of its citizens to live and work in Scotland.
It sets out targets relating to American tourists and encouraging more US citizens to live and work in Scotland. The "hard-edged" strategy pinpoints seven US states where Scotland will focus its efforts over the next five years.
The strategy pinpoints seven American states where Scotland will focus its efforts over the next five years.
Mr McConnell launched the document in California, one of the priority states.Mr McConnell launched the document in California, one of the priority states.
We very much support the first minister's ambition to project modern Scotland in the world today Iain McMillanCBI Scotland Rates call
"America matters to Scotland's future economic prosperity. We have strong historical ties and an ongoing special relationship," he said.
"I want to make sure that Scotland is getting the most out of this relationship to take it to a new level.
"For the first time we are setting out a detailed plan to maximise the benefits from our engagement with the US."
Mr McConnell said the strategy was "hard-edged".
"I am often reminded in America about the tremendous role Scots played in making America the country it is.
"The bottom line is that I want us to make the most of our good relationship with the US. I want to see more investment, more tourists and more US citizens working, studying and living in Scotland."
Iain McMillan, director of CBI Scotland, said: "We very much support the first minister's ambition to project modern Scotland in the world today.Iain McMillan, director of CBI Scotland, said: "We very much support the first minister's ambition to project modern Scotland in the world today.
"Our visit to businesses and schools in the US will serve that purpose well and open up new areas of co-operation and dialogue.""Our visit to businesses and schools in the US will serve that purpose well and open up new areas of co-operation and dialogue."
However, Scottish Conservative enterprise spokesman Murdo Fraser called for a new business strategy to attract business to Scotland.
He said: "America is renowned as a place where it is easy to do business because costs are low.
"This is in stark contrast to Scotland where business rates are still higher than in England, red tape is out of control and over 50% of the economy is still in the public sector."