Dedicated to the reinstatement of the Classical Latin curriculum at Rutherford H.S., and for the…
This page was created by the son of a friend of mine. This is what he is fighting for:
On January 16, 2015, my guidance counselor notified me during my course selection conference of the decision to terminate the Latin language program effective at the end of the present 2014-15 school year. She further advised that no Latin classes are available for registration to students in Grades 9-11 for the 2015-16 school year or thereafter. No students or parents were given notice of the school’s intent or action to terminate the Latin program prior to the start of course registration in mid-January and, thus, we were unable to register our objections.
As a direct result of this decision, students currently enrolled in the Latin program are not being afforded the same academic opportunity to pursue or attain four (4) years of consecutive language instruction, club membership, or induction into language National Honor Society as that of students in the Spanish and French programs.
Furthermore, it prohibits us from satisfying the four (4) consecutive years of language courses recommended or required for admission into selective colleges and universities. This renders current students of Latin in Grades 9-11 at a competitive disadvantage when applying to college compared to that of our peers.
The Board of Education’s 2012 World Language curriculum guide, from which we selected our language courses, specifically outlined and emphasized the academic and professional merits of the Latin language program. The revised 2015 curriculum guide directly contradicts the approved 2012 version from which we students determined and planned our academic agenda at Rutherford High School.
The exclusion of Classical Latin studies in the revised curriculum guide decreases the diversity of world language programs and greatly diminishes the academic caliber and integrity of Rutherford High School. Scholastically ambitious students such as myself depend upon and require a challenging education environment in order to achieve our present and future academic pursuits.
The decision to terminate the Latin language curriculum at Rutherford High School:
· Is based on lower enrollment for Latin courses in contrast to an increased demand for and enrollment in Spanish language courses, and a budget-based decision to discharge the sole Latin instructor in order to accommodate the addition of a fifth Spanish teacher.
· Is the result of a precipitous decision, lacking transparency and prior communication with enrolled Latin language students and their parents, with no attempt to afford counterargument or promotion of the program.
· Discriminates against currently enrolled Latin language students by failing to provide the same four (4) consecutive years of language instruction, club membership, and induction into language National Honor Society made available to students enrolled in the Spanish and French language programs.
· Prohibits current Latin language students from completing the four (4) consecutive years of language courses recommended or required for admission into selective colleges and universities.
· Is the consequence of an imprudent education mentality that neglects to promote the demonstrated academic value of a Latin curriculum and its positive impact on students’ core subjects, standardized test scores (PARCC/SAT/ACT), and preparation for and admission to colleges and universities.
· Places a supply-and-demand education policy over the fostering of world language curriculum diversity and course availability to students.
· Sets a precedent for the dismantling of humanities programs based on disproportionate education standards that fail to account for and to provide students: practical learning applications now and the academic requirements necessary for post-secondary education.
· Diminishes the overall quality of education for students and their academic/workforce preparedness upon graduation.
For these reasons, I respectfully request that Mr. Ryan take prompt action to reinstate and to continue the Latin language program at Rutherford High School.
With your signature, you can support our appeal to reinstate the Latin Language Curriculum at Rutherford High School and to stop the shortsighted trend to cut valuable academic programs from our public schools!
Thank you for your support!
Give them some support and like their Facebook page and sign their Change.org petition: Petition to Reinstate and to Continue the Latin Language Curriculum at Rutherford High School
Thanks,
History Sisco
Bene! Adiuvemus!
