Questions Arise on Foreign Language Requirements for Graduation

Two house bills that would eliminate the foreign language requirement for high school students were approved in Lansing on Tuesday in the House Education Committee.

Currently, the students in class of 2016 are required to take two years of foreign language to graduate. Grosse Pointe Public Schools recommends to its high schoolers planning to attend a four year college to take three years worth of foreign language, according to the 2013/14 High School Program of Studies. 

The district offers courses in Chinese, French, Spanish, German, Italian and Latin, according to the same document. 

Patch is awaiting return messages from spokeswoman Rebecca Fannon and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Curriculum and Instruction Jon Dean. 

Co-sponsored by State Reps. Cindy Denby, R-Handy Township, and Bill Rogers, R-Genoa Township, House Bills 4465-4466 would also modify required credits in physical education, the arts, career and technical education, science and math, according to the Press & Argus.

By eliminating the two-year foreign language credit, the proposal hopes to give students not headed to college more vocational options in school, but the Michigan Department of Education opposes the bill, according to the Detroit News.

"Students, regardless of post-secondary plans, will benefit tremendously with at least one additional language to be competitive in the global marketplace," spokesman Martin Ackley said in the report. "World languages is essential for all of our students."

What do you think of the possible elimination of a foreign language requirement in Michigan schools?