By Tony McVeigh/ Paco Long-Mendez
Frankfort, KY – Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday believes foreign languages should be part of the state's core curriculum. He raised the issue at this month's State School Board meeting, during discussion of revisions to minimum high school graduation requirements. Several board members, including Dorie Combs, applauded the commissioner's suggestion.
"If we want to really make our schools world class, we would start teaching one language in elementary school, add a second language in middle school and possibly a third. Because once hyou learn a second language, the third's easier, the fourth's easier, even if they're different parts of the world."
Most Kentucky high schools offer foreign languages to college-bound students, but the state does not mandate such classes. Educators say part of the problem is finding enough people qualified to teach foreign languages.