The impact of globalization, foreign direct investment, and multinational corporations on development of educational policy and 21st-century learning in the Costa Rican educational system

2015-04-16Over the past century, the nation of Costa Rica has experienced many challenges due to an ever‐changing world. The country has strategically implemented governmental and educational policies that have successfully changed its economic profile in the global marketplace. Since a country’s educational system can arguably be one of the major driving forces behind its economic development, preparing students to compete in an ever changing, high technology, and competitive world market is of national importance in Costa Rica. In the past few decades, with investments by Intel and other multinational corporations (MNCs), Costa Rica has developed a knowledge‐based economy of students who are technically literate and possess 21st‐century skills. ❧ This study examined (a) the influence of globalization, foreign direct investment, and MNCs have on the curriculum and teaching practices in Costa Rican schools; (b) the relationship between education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and economic growth in Costa Rica; and (c) the impact of the mandated National Science and Technology Fair (NSTF), the use of project‐based learning and STEM education to build human capital and prepare students for 21st‐century jobs, particularly in the STEM fields. ❧ Theoretical frameworks were used to interpret the findings of this qualitative study. Work by Joel Spring and Thomas Friedman presented theoretical frames for viewing Costa Rica’s economic development through the lens of globalization; Tony Wagner and the Partnership for 21st‐Century Skills provided the frameworks for the importance of 21st‐century learning in a globalized world; and Scott Slough and John Milam presented the framework for the design of STEM project‐based learning to provide a lens to examine educational changes and policies made by Costa Rica to stay competitive in a global world market