Tennessee State Board of Education to Consider Cutting World Language Graduation Requirement in Half

Stock image of a globe (Photo by Unsplash)

Tennessee State Board of Education Chair Robert Eby unveiled an updated proposal at Thursday’s board workshop that would reduce the World Language credits high school students need to graduate from two to one.

The board discussed removing the World Language requirement entirely earlier this year, but that led to pushback from opponents who worry that such a change would put Tennessee students at a disadvantage in college admissions. Some universities, including the University of Memphis, require 2 credits of World Language for admission. The University of Tennessee doesn't require World Language credits for admission, but does recommend them.

Robert Eby (Photo by the Tennessee State Board of Education)

Eby’s proposal would allow students to utilize that second World Language credit for other elective courses. That includes substituting a different language, as the current graduation requirement mandates two credits in the same language.

He says the proposal isn’t about eliminating World Language, it’s about providing students with choice. Roughly half of the states do not have a World Language graduation requirement.

“We don’t know what each individual student wants,” said Eby. “There’s a million students in Tennessee. Why shouldn’t each one of those million students have a pathway to be able to decide the pathway that is best for each one of them.”

Opponents Cite World Language Benefits

Eby also framed the proposed change as a way to address the challenge that school districts face in finding World Language teachers, but his idea faced pushback from multiple board members.

East Tennessee Board member Krissi McInturff said she’s heard from educators who stress the vital importance of that second World Language credit.

She also pointed out the cultural benefits of students taking World Language.

“These students need to know that we’re not the only district, we’re not the only culture, we’re not the only country,” said McInturff. “I think that’s the main reason why we need to have those two language credits is to open their eyes to something they’re not used to, to see cultures they’re not used to.”

Waiver Requirement Discussed

Under Tennessee’s current policy, students can apply to their district’s director of schools for a waiver of the 2 World Language credit requirement to expand and enhance their elective focus. That waiver additionally requires the support of their parents or guardian.

Eby’s proposal would eliminate the need for a waiver, though Board Vice-Chair Darrell Cobbins expressed interest in retaining that requirement in some capacity for World Language.

“With that having been an established standard for student learning in Tennessee, it seems to me that to absolve oneself from that requirement, the waiver exists for that reason,” said Cobbins.

The board is expected to vote on Eby’s proposal in February.