Due to difficulty in finding foreign language teachers, Clinton High School will offer only one foreign language option to students starting this semester. Students will also not be required to take the AP (Advanced Placement) exams from now on, though the tests will still be strongly advocated.
Clinton High School principal Ron Bean reported these two changes in the school’s curriculum to the Clinton Board of Education during a meeting earlier this week, noting the difficulty in finding foreign language teachers.
Bean said that the school is “continuing to actively seek a second foreign language teacher,” but at the present time, they have not been able to find one.
“They’re just not out there. It’s getting harder and harder to find them,” noted Bean when contacted later for follow up comments.
According to the CHS principal, the school is not searching for a teacher to fill a specific foreign language position. After listing a few language,s including French and Latin, Bean said that “we are leaving our options open” and would take “whatever foreign language we can get.”
Bean noted that, although they are hopeful in their search for another foreign language teacher, they do not want to put another course on the list of classes offered without knowing that they have a teacher secured. He explained that this past year they had prematurely done just that and had to switch students and classes at the last minute, a necessary action but one that they want to avoid in the future as it led to some confusion and stress.
Bean also reported that Clinton High students would no longer be required to take AP exams. However, the tests would continue to be “encouraged.”
Board member Diane Viser expressed her concern over this particular change, saying that she would “prefer to see a more comprehensive approach.”
“Our scores are still poor,” said Viser, suggesting that “a comprehensive review of the program” is needed.
Bean later said that “we’re looking at increasing rigor in the classroom which we think will better prepare students.” He added that the school is “looking at a couple of new options, including running the [AP] program all year long,” which most schools do not do.
Through the changes, “the AP exams will still continue to be offered and recommeded to students,” stressed Bean.
According to collegeboard.com, “most four-year colleges in the United States and colleges in more than 60 other countries give students credit, advanced placement or both on the basis of AP exam scores. By entering college with AP credits, students have the time to move into upper level courses, pursue a double-major, or study abroad.”
Lauren Williams can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 123 or via email at lwilliams@civitasmedia.com.
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