Another state mandate

7/6/2007 3:32 AM

Those of us who agree that American students should have some familiarity with a foreign language may deplore the verdict of the Pennsylvania state board of education not to require such instruction. The board cited the cost of hiring an additional 2,683 foreign language teachers at an estimated cost of $114.5 million statewide.

We admit there is another factor to be considered. It is that every time you add something to a school curriculum you must take something else out. While many students are studying another language, particularly at the high school level, requiring it of all would certainly conflict with other concerns - including courses that already are mandated by the state.

The solution, we suggest, is not more state mandates but fewer, with the state, not local taxpayers, picking up the tab to pay for them.