Bill would water down high school foreign language requirement

[alp227]

For years, business and government leaders and education planners have argued for fortifying foreign-language training in public schools, both as a tool in a global economy and as a skill in a diverse society.

But a bill on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk would allow districts to water down the one provision California now has regarding second-language and art education.

Currently, in addition to courses in English, social studies, math, science and physical education, the state requires students to take one year of either foreign language or fine arts to graduate from high school. AB 2446 by Assemblyman Warren Furutani, D-South Los Angeles County, would give students the choice to take a vocational-education class instead.

The governor has until the end of today to either sign it or veto the bill, and he hasn't indicated which way he'll go. But the legislation has arts and foreign-language proponents up in arms.

"World languages is a career-technical education course. In the world in which we live, there's no way you can survive unless you have an understanding of cultural differences and understand what it means to speak another language," said Lorraine D'Ambruoso, executive director of the California Language Teachers Association, which fought the bill.

Arts educators are equally vehement. "In education, the whole push is toward creating 21st-century thinkers," said Linda Covello, art school director at the Community School of Music and Arts in Mountain View. "In the business world they're saying we need people who can think creatively and critically, who can come at problem solving from many different directions. That's totally built into the arts."

Full story: http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_16209644

Although this is a Democrat-authored bill, this article already attracted some wingnut comments (including one by a Dennis Prager fan). I frankly do not understand conservatives' disdain for foreign cultures (considering that the Bible took place in...hint hint the Middle East...) The author of this bill intended the voc-ed option to be "dropout prevention". Which I think is OK because not every student is fit for the four-year college. And a clarification: the voc-ed option is a substitute, not replacement for fine art/foreign language.

[alp227]

1. UPDATE: Governor has vetoed this bill.

http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_16228374

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed legislation that would allow school districts to water down requirements for foreign language and art education in high schools.

Currently, in addition to courses in English, social studies, math, science and physical education, the state requires students to take one year of either foreign language or visual/performing arts to graduate from high school. The bill would have given students the choice to take a vocational-education class instead.

[earthside]

2. Sounds like a good bill ...

... too bad Arnold vetoed it.

My daughter tells me that one of the worst things going on at her Colorado high school are all the kids forced to be in her French class because of state imposed foreign language requirements.

Let's get real, in many states there is now a two or three year foreign language requirement for graduation -- most kids are simply not interested and therefore tend to be disruptive in those classes.

I see this trend as a prime example of the top-down, "we know what's best for you" philosophy of the Bush-Spellings-Obama-Duncan education policy.

Indeed, more vocational and trades and crafts options are what we need in our public schools.

[mzteris]

3. waiting until highschool is the problem

foreign language - serious instruction - should begin in elementary school.

In fact, if I had my way, every elementary school would be an immersion program for "pick a language"...