FLAG - Advocacy: SB 497

FLAG ADVOCACY: SB 497

2/26/08; Email

Dear Senator Williams,

On behalf of the Foreign Language Association of Georgia (FLAG), I would like to thank you and your fellow committee members for showing your strong support of elementary foreign language programs. I attended yesterday's committee meeting and was very impressed by your comments, as well as the comments of other committee members, about the importance of beginning foreign language study in elementary school. As you consider future legislation, FLAG asks that you consider the following discussion points:

In order to achieve a high level of proficiency in language and culture, students must have access to long, continuous sequences of study throughout their education. Foreign languages are part of the core curriculum under No Child Left Behind, and thus, should be included in grades K-12.

The DOE currently has a Modern Languages and Latin Task Force charged with exploring options on how to establish articulated foreign language programs in grades 6-12. It would be a good idea to look at funding from a top down basis with funds directed at middle schools first and then expanding the funding down to elementary schools. Currently, only 11 school districts have middle school foreign language programs. If elementary school foreign language programs are implemented state-wide prior to implementing middle school programs, students would face a 3 year gap in their language study prior to going to high school. For students to achieve a high level of language proficiency, it is imperative that there be no gaps in our language programs.

Again, FLAG would like to thank you and your colleagues for your continued support of foreign language instruction. We are always here to provide any information you may need to assist you in your efforts.

Sincerely,
Greg Barfield
FLAG President

2/27/08; Message to FLAG ListServ

Good News... Several language supporters attended the Senate Education and Youth Committee session scheduled on Tuesday, February 26th at 3 PM for discussion on the proposed SB 497. The bill's author, Tommie Williams, stated that his intent and the thinking of the co-sponsors was to support having an elementary language program to introduce young learners to languages at the optimal time. He and his co-signers were very amenable to the strong input from language personnel in the field and others regarding the impracticability of simply reassigning 9-12 language teachers to elementary. The bill has been tabled while further study and better ways of addressing language study pre-high school are considered. I am happy to report that as a member of the Georgia Department of Education's Modern Languages and Latin Taskforce, we are now addressing having a strong middle school language program leading to an even stronger high school language program to provide a longer and continuous sequence of language study for students in Georgia. While all of us recognize the importance of having elementary language programs, we realize that language learning cannot stop there if it is to have a real impact, and hence, our committee's thinking is to propose the model of a strong middle school language program to ensure student success in language study as they continue acquiring language skills in the high school program. Of course, we as teachers must do our part in ensuring that we are using appropriate and proficiency-oriented techniques to produce students who are language users. The work of the Taskforce is on-going at this time, but I am hopeful that our recommendations will be carried forward.

Please take the time to send a note of appreciation to the following members of the Senate Education and Youth Committee and sponsors of SB 497 for listening to our concerns for the welfare of the students of the State of Georgia as well as for being supportive of early language learning. I have also included the other members of this important Senate Education and Youth Committee many of whom spoke favorably of language education in our schools. You may want to copy the following email addresses into your address line so that all of the parties involved with this proposed legislation can receive your acknowledgement.

Tommie@tommiewilliams.com; Seth.harp@senate.ga.gov; Dan.weber@senate.ga.gov; David.shafer@senate.ga.gov; Don.thomas@senate.ga.gov; Ronnie.chance@senate.ga.gov; joseph.carter@senate.ga.gov; don.balfour@senate.ga.gov; john.douglas@senate.ga.gov; vicent.fort@senate.ga.gov; dan.moody@senate.ga.gov; horacena.tate@senate.ga.gov; regina.thomas@senate.ga.gov; ronald.ramsey@senate.ga.gov

Senate Bill 497
Sponsors:
(1) Williams, Tommie (R) 19th [Appling, Jeff Davis, Liberty, Long, Montgomery, Tattnall] / Tommie@tommiewilliams.com
(2) Harp, Seth (R) 29th [Harris, Meriwether, Muscogee, Troup] / Seth.harp@senate.ga.gov
(3) Weber, Dan (R) 40th [Dekalb, Gwinnett] / Dan.weber@senate.ga.gov
(4) Shafer, David (R) 48th [Fulton, Gwinnett] / David.shafer@senate.ga.gov
(5) Thomas, Don (R) 54th [Catoosa, Gordon, Murray, Whitfield] / Don.thomas@senate.ga.gov
(6) Chance, Ronnie (R) 16th [Fayette, Lamar, Monroe, Pike, Spalding] / Ronnie.chance@senate.ga.gov

Text:
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to require local school systems which receive certain state funds to reassign its high school foreign language teachers to elementary school; to provide for applicability; to encourage local school systems to provide high school foreign language courses through virtual courses; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

The Senate Education and Youth Committee Members:
Senator Dan Weber, Chairman; Senator Joseph Carter, Vice-Chairman; Senator Don Thomas; Senator Don Balfour; Senator John Douglas; Senator Vincent Fort; Senator Dan Moody; Senator Horacena Tate; Senator Regina Thomas; Senator Ronald Ramsey

Greg Barfield, FLAG President

(2/25/08) Testimony on Senate Bill 497 is going to be heard TOMORROW (Tuesday) afternoon when the Senate Education and Youth Committee meets (links below). Here is a document which gives contact information for the members ofthe Senate Education and Youth Committee (DOC!) if you wish to comment on this proposed legislation.
The Committee will be meeting twice this week: 3:00p.m. Tuesday and at 8:30a.m. on Wednesday. Both meetings are scheduled for Room 310.

2/21/2008

Dear Colleagues:

I am writing to you to provide you with the most recent information regarding foreign language issues from the General Assembly of Georgia. Currently under consideration is Senate Bill 497 which would require local school systems to move all high school foreign language personnel to the elementary school. High School foreign language courses would be offered through the Georgia Virtual school. There is no mention in the bill of middle school foreign language programs.

Information on the bill is available here.

This bill will go to the Senate Education and You Committee. Here is the link to its site and how to contact them.

I encourage to write to write and or call these committee members and your local state senator.

While we certainly support the creation of elementary foreign language programs, this proposal does not support the creation of an articulated program for students to have the opportunity to study a language other than English throughout his/her school career.

As always, thanks for your support of Georgia's foreign language programs.

Sincerely,
Greg Barfield, FLAG President

E-mail to the members of the Senate Educaton and Youth Committee and to the co-sponsors of Senate Bill (SB) 497.

-----Original Message-----
From: greg79257@aol.com
To: don.balfour@senate.ga.gov; joseph.carter@senate.ga.gov; ronnie.chance@senate.ga.gov; vincent.fort@senate.ga.gov; seth.harp@senate.ga.gov; dan.moody@senate.ga.gov; david.shafer@senate.ga.gov; horacena.tate@senate.ga.gov; don.thomas@senate.ga.gov; regina.thomas@senate.ga.gov; dan.weber@senate.ga.gov; tommie@tommiewilliams.com Cc: state.superintendent@doe.k12.ga.us
Sent: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 4:21 pm
Subject: SB 497 Education, Require Local School Systems, Reassign Its High School Foreign Language Teachers To Elementary School

Dear Senators:

As President of the Foreign Language Association of Georgia (FLAG), the state professional organization representing Georgia's K-12 teachers and university professors, I would like to express our concerns with SB 497. While we certainly applaud the bill's sponsors for recognizing the importance of foreign languages in elementary schools and for recognizing the quality of Georgia Virtual School courses, there are some concerns that we would like to share with you. The text of the bill is listed below, and underneath the text are listed FLAG's concerns.

08 LC 33 2477
Senate Bill 497
By: Senators Williams of the 19th, Harp of the 29th, Weber of the 40th, Shafer of the 48th, Thomas of the 54th and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to require local school systems which receive certain state funds to reassign its high school foreign language teachers to elementary school; to provide for applicability; to encourage local school systems to provide high school foreign language courses through virtual courses; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.
Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the "Quality Basic Education Act," is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows: "20-2-190.
(a) As a condition of receiving funds under this article for salaries for foreign language teachers, a local school system shall:
(1) Reassign all foreign language teachers teaching in a high school, beginning in the 2010-2011 school year, to elementary schools to teach foreign language; and
(2) Assign any newly hired foreign language teachers, no later than the 2010-2011 school year, whose salaries are paid, either partially or wholly, with funds received pursuant to this article to elementary schools to teach foreign language.
(b) This Code section shall not apply to high school foreign language teachers whose salaries are paid wholly out of local funds.
(c) Local school systems shall be encouraged to make high school foreign language courses accessible to its students through the Georgia Virtual School established pursuant to Code Section 20-2-319.1 or by similar means."

SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.

CONCERNS

Not all high school foreign language teachers are certified to teach elementary school. Many are certified to teach grades 7-12 only. What would happen to teachers who are not certified in elementary grades? Even for those who are certified in elementary grades, most have never taught elementary foreign language classes before and are not familiar with the pedagogy necessary to be successful elementary teachers.
There is no current standard model for elementary foreign language instruction in Georgia. Would there be a state-mandated model, or would this be left to local districts?
What would be the FTE funds for elementary programs? Currently, schools do not receive FTE funds for elementary foreign language programs.
Many local boards of education may not be in favor of this bill as it would limit local board control of course offerings.
There is no mention of middle school foreign language programs in this bill. How would this bill affect districts who currently offer middle school programs, especially those who offer high school credit for foreign language courses taken in middle school?
How would materials be funded for the new elementary programs? Current high school texts are not age-level or developmentally appropriate for elementary school students.
How would the additional needs for Georgia Virtual School foreign language teachers be met? Who would fund these additional positions? Also, who would would find the additional paraprofessionals or teachers needed to facilitate students taking virtual courses during the regular school day?
What would happen to Foreign Language IB courses? These courses can only be taught by IB trained teachers.
Would districts lose FTE funds for the high school students who must take foreign languages courses as part of the Georgia Virtual Schools?
Would additional computers be provided to high schools in order for students to have access to them to take the Georgia Virtual School Courses since they would still have take two units of a foreign language to meet University System of Georgia admission requirements.

FLAG hopes that you will consider our concerns, and we look forward to working with the General Assembly and the Georgia Department of Education on providing exemplary foreign language instruction to all Georgia students.

Sincerely,
Greg Barfield
FLAG President