History of IDEA
Jeannie Oakes, Founder and Former Director
Youth Voice in School Finance
NEW REPORT: Los Angeles' road to A-G for all
Without Dollars and Sense Powerpoint
Past Educational Opportunity Reports
Foreign language, arts classes should not be undercut
- 05-27-2011
-
Editorial/San Jose Mercury News
Even as San Jose's East Side Union High School District and others are raising standards for high school students, some are trying to water them down. An effort in the Legislature, Assembly Bill 1330, would do that. The legislation would mean that fewer students have access to crucial arts and foreign language classes at a time when those subjects are increasingly important to success in college and the workforce. If the bill makes it through the Legislature -- a similar one was rejected by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last year -- Gov. Jerry Brown should veto it. Under current law, high school students must take one year of fine arts or foreign language to graduate. Under AB 1330, students could substitute a year of vocational education -- such as construction and culinary courses -- for the arts or foreign language classes. That would deprive too many students of an experience most educators and business leaders view as crucial to success, whether in college or a career. Some kids would undoubtedly be tracked toward vocational classes, without regard for their interests or aptitude. (more...)
Send this
Print this
