Around midnight on Aug. 14, a group of five students arrived in Nashville. They had just driven five hours from Sullivan County. Some had missed work, and others would be absent from school. The next day, they would gather at the Davy Crockett Tower to give public comment in front of the State Board of Education. They wanted board members to know about their Spanish language classes with Matthew Harrison at Sullivan East High School, and how much they have meant.
Several months earlier, Board Chair Robert Eby had requested a review of the world language graduation requirement. Tennessee public school students are currently required to take two credits of the same world language as part of the 22 minimum credits needed to graduate. Eby has suggested rolling back that requirement, in order to offer students more flexibility to take elective courses.
On Tuesday, Eby took a more concrete step: He published the text of a proposal to reduce the world language graduation requirement from two credits to one. Eby confirmed on Friday that he plans to bring the proposal to a formal vote at the next state board meeting in February.
Eby’s intention to revise graduation requirements has instilled fear and anxiety among some teachers and students across the state who have mobilized over the past several months — hoping to persuade the board that world language courses are not dispensable, but rather a crucial piece of a well-rounded education.
At the board meeting in August, students spoke about traveling abroad and ordering at restaurants, asking for directions and communicating confidently with locals. Others said that they have saved money with the college credits they earned through their high school Spanish classes. One student, 17-year-old Aldair Ortiz, said that he feels more connected with his dad, now that they can talk to each other in his native language.