Latin as a world language?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Richard Montgomery offers Latin. Unfortunately DC can't take because they need a modern language for IB.

In the IB diploma program at Arlington's W-L HS, Latin is included, so that may be a school-specific limitation in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Richard Montgomery offers Latin. Unfortunately DC can't take because they need a modern language for IB.

In the IB diploma program at Arlington's W-L HS, Latin is included, so that may be a school-specific limitation in MCPS.

Ah, lucky W-L HS students! DC was disappointed when told no at RM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Despite trying hard, equity can only stretch so far.

As long as the County Council continues to underfund the school budget, as they have for 25 years or more.

50% of the budget goes to schools. How much more?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a data point, my son is a rising 10th grader at Wootton and takes Latin. He tells me that his teacher covers multiple high schools and that it was announced that Latin is being phased out at Wootton. Supposedly the program will be supported for the next few years as students age out but no new students.

I guess this is equity at work? Though I am willing to accept that the demand/appreciation of Latin and classical education is in decline.

I think some folks like to blame "equity" for everything, but in this case I think it's just supply/demand and teacher shortage. MCPS has been fine with offering disparate options in terms of WL, and they have not pulled back on Japanese or Russian at highly segregated schools.

Latin is not in demand at the HS level, teachers are hard to come by, and sometimes it's okay to shift resources from an under-subscribed course to an over-subscribed one.

Dang. Equity meets capitalism. What next? Armageddon?

[Anonymous]

DD was actually able to start Latin in 8th grade by attending first period at WJ then busing to middle school. Great opportunity, and she’ll eventually have the same teacher for five straight years!

[Anonymous]

If you are in private school, can you take language classes in the MCPS virtual school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are in private school, can you take language classes in the MCPS virtual school?

no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are in private school, can you take language classes in the MCPS virtual school?

no.

Why is that when one is still paying taxes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are in private school, can you take language classes in the MCPS virtual school?

no.

Why is that when one is still paying taxes?

By going to a private school you're opting out of the public school resources.

[Anonymous]

I'm critical of MCPS for a lot of reasons, but it is not a knock on MCPS that Latin is not widely offered in all high schools. It's a dead language and only a niche portion of students are going to have the interest that warrants dedicated courses and instruction for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm critical of MCPS for a lot of reasons, but it is not a knock on MCPS that Latin is not widely offered in all high schools. It's a dead language and only a niche portion of students are going to have the interest that warrants dedicated courses and instruction for it.

Maybe, but if they’re going to offer it at one school, why not offer it more widely? Based on this thread, it’s only offered at WJ, and will not be offered anywhere in the DCC as of next year. I think MCPS should have standard language offerings at all schools, with opportunities (virtual instruction?) to take other languages open to all, not just a few.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Richard Montgomery offers Latin. Unfortunately DC can't take because they need a modern language for IB.

In the IB diploma program at Arlington's W-L HS, Latin is included, so that may be a school-specific limitation in MCPS.

Ah, lucky W-L HS students! DC was disappointed when told no at RM.

Kennedy offers Latin, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Richard Montgomery offers Latin. Unfortunately DC can't take because they need a modern language for IB.

In the IB diploma program at Arlington's W-L HS, Latin is included, so that may be a school-specific limitation in MCPS.

Ah, lucky W-L HS students! DC was disappointed when told no at RM.

Kennedy offers Latin, too.

That’s good to know. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm critical of MCPS for a lot of reasons, but it is not a knock on MCPS that Latin is not widely offered in all high schools. It's a dead language and only a niche portion of students are going to have the interest that warrants dedicated courses and instruction for it.

Maybe, but if they’re going to offer it at one school, why not offer it more widely? Based on this thread, it’s only offered at WJ, and will not be offered anywhere in the DCC as of next year. I think MCPS should have standard language offerings at all schools, with opportunities (virtual instruction?) to take other languages open to all, not just a few.

It's a dead language. It should be only offered where there is enough interest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Despite trying hard, equity can only stretch so far.

As long as the County Council continues to underfund the school budget, as they have for 25 years or more.

50% of the budget goes to schools. How much more?

50% of the budget goes to schools. But the schools don't spend 50% on education. Have the county take back all the other things that they make the schools responsible for--food on the weekends, medical care, navigating bureaucracy when trying to obtain services, clothing, mental health assistance. The schools have become the on the ground point place for communities.