FL Freak Out -- course ending at 2.5 years?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Oooh, care to share what language is being offered? Good for your kid for taking a less commonly taught language!

It's Italian. There are staffing shortages for another language at a lower (county required) tier, so the teacher is saying they have to teach the other class because no one is staffed in it. So, the program isn't ending, they just don't have the staffing to offer everything slated it seems. But, the other class is Spanish. I struggle to see how a Spanish teacher for level 1 can't be found.

Which options remain for FL study if Spanish is not offered ?

Spanish is offered. There is just a teacher shortage. Not enough teachers for the sections.

Reminds me of Henry Ford and the Model T when he said: "You can have it in any color you want so long as it is black."

My question was inquiring about which language options are being offered which your student can take in lieu of Italian ?

Nothing really. Colleges want 3+ years of the same language.

Colleges want a lot of things. I just find it really sad that instead of enjoying the richness of language study OP is fixated on checking boxes and likely communicating that freakout to her daughter. Sh*t happens in life, including bureaucratic decisions that don’t go your way.

Your judgments are way off base, so consider before making them. Kid does not want to take another language. Kid wants to go to schools that require 3+ years of language. Why do some people feel the need to try to blame the parent? I don't get this.

Thanks to those with helpful suggestions.

I'm blaming you because YOU are "freaking out" about what is likely a minor glitch, and communicating to your daughter that the only thing that matters is maximizing her "rank," and a black & white viewpoint that having one semester less of a langauge spells doom on college applications. It's unfortunate this happens - but you have an apparently smart daughter in a STEM magnet. She's going to do FINE. Do what you can to advocate with the school, but you need to roll with this. And you need to be less enmeshed with your daughter's achievement. You should communicate a more flexible attitude that focuses on what you can do given the circumstances, ie, life. If she has the time and energy to continue with Italian and self-study for the AP - great. If not, also great. She is going to be FINE.

You really don't understand us or this. Really, to presume you have any idea about my relationship with my daughter? Good grief.

Also, I didn't ask about whether she'll be fine. Of course, she will. I am asking about info for a specific issue. You decided to read a whole soap opera into a hyperbolic expression of frustration. You have nothing to contribute, so just move on.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I have a kid (Jr) who started a lesser taught language at her high school with the intention of taking 4 years (that's what school said they offered). This Fall, school said they would not offer a 4th year. Now they are saying that 3B, starting in 3 days, might be canceled. Kid is high achieving kid with interest in a range of potential colleges including a couple T15. Interested in a STEM field and in a STEM magnet. Trying to see if they can take a community college class, but not a lot offered and not sure it will be a possibility. Nothing is set in stone yet. I am corresponding w/ principal (who says 3B will happen though teacher says it won't) and counselor. Hopefully, principal will resolve this, but any other ideas? I also asked about some kind of self study option. I don't think 2.5 years is viable for the potential colleges. Thoughts? Anyone else been through anything similar?

We loved the idea of the unique language, but now it's not so appealing.

Just have them take another language colleges will not care.

Well that’s the worst advice I’ve read on this site in a while. I’m sorry you’re dealing with this curveball, OP. I think you’re right to keep pushing for an independent study (maybe done online during the class time?)

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I'm well aware that PP's advice is not good. Thanks for the sympathy and encouragement.

I think the poster is correct that colleges will not care that you have only 2.5 years of a particular language. It might even be a plus if a kid has multiple languages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's face reality...you're just going to have to send your kid to Italy for the summer. (Now if he could just get them to cancel French & Spanish....)

Hahahahaha. I wish!!!!

[Anonymous]

Thanks, All, for brainstorming. We are hopeful that a self study (thanks for the website) program or combined 2/3 class or online com college will work. It's all so tricky. How do kids do dual enrollment with schedules? The in-person cc class meets during the kid's ap Chem class, so that's just not possible. The online has a waitlist, so counselor is checking into that. It's such a bummer to hit her with this 3 days before the semester. Hoping they could do Wellesley or Language Bird on their own. Principal and counselor have been really proactive and helpful.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I have always heard that colleges don’t penalize a kid for not taking a course that is not offered. Out of their control.

If she loves it, I would look into further study. But I wouldn’t sweat it for the admissions process.

You're assuming that the course is dropped from the catalog. There are plenty of courses listed that haven't been taught in years

Have the CCO note in the letter of rec (or the applicant in the extra session on the common app) that foreign language was not offered. You can then show what the kid did instead.

[Anonymous]

I would get a tutor and try to pass the AP italian exam.

[Anonymous]

You need to make sure the counselor includes an explanation of the situation in their letter of recommendation.

I'd be really unhappy with the school if this were my kid, and would be asking for them to pay to have my kid be able to continue what was implied would be available throughout the tenure of their education at the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have always heard that colleges don’t penalize a kid for not taking a course that is not offered. Out of their control.

If she loves it, I would look into further study. But I wouldn’t sweat it for the admissions process.

You're assuming that the course is dropped from the catalog. There are plenty of courses listed that haven't been taught in years

Have the CCO note in the letter of rec (or the applicant in the extra session on the common app) that foreign language was not offered. You can then show what the kid did instead.

This, right here. Admissions officers are explicit that you just have your counselor explain what’s not available and they consider the student’s record within that context. It really is that simple.

[Anonymous]

Is this school WJ?

[Anonymous]

Look at other community colleges in your state. They may have the class online without a waitlist.

[Anonymous]

See if the local Italian-American cultural society has classes DD can take (the one here in DC is very active and should be able to help). Then consider a summer language-immersion program (they exist in the US: no need to go to Italy, although it's Italy, so...) and/or CC course. Middlebury is famous for outstanding language instruction during the summers. Don't give up! It will be worth it.

--College prof

[Anonymous]

Check out Italian Cultural Society in DC. They offer language classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this school WJ?

I know WJ is not going to offer ASL 3 next year. Sounds like they need the teacher in the lower level classes to make sure graduation requirements are met. Not great for the seniors who were planning on ASL 3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:See if the local Italian-American cultural society has classes DD can take (the one here in DC is very active and should be able to help). Then consider a summer language-immersion program (they exist in the US: no need to go to Italy, although it's Italy, so...) and/or CC course. Middlebury is famous for outstanding language instruction during the summers. Don't give up! It will be worth it.

--College prof

Good tips! There’s a good chance an Italian-run program in Italy is less expensive than something like Middlebury even considering travel, so don’t rule out based on cost assumptions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have to pay for a private tutor, OP. In the DC area, I hope you can find someone who can teach that language. If this is important for your daughter and her college and career prospects, you need to make that happen.

This happened to my friend's kids - the language they had started to study was canceled. They were furious but in public school, there's nothing you can do. There are staffing shortages, budget issues and, for some schools, no available classrooms because they're so overcrowded - and it doesn't make sense to hire a teacher if the demand is low.

+1 I did this with Latin when we transferred schools in high school. The school agreed to provide credit but the grade would not be weighed into my gpa