Report: Md. schools should tap foreign language 'assets'

March 5, 2009 - 9:22am

WASHINGTON - Maryland is home to the nation's third-highest percentage of foreign-born college graduates and should capitalize on the diversity of language abilities, according to a 2009 report of the Preservation of Heritage Language Skills Task Force.

The task force, authorized by the 2008 Maryland General Assembly, made four recommendations: to award high school foreign language credit by exam, increase immersion programs in schools, expand teacher certification options and enhance English speaking learning programs for foreign-born adults.

"The main challenges we face in assuring that Maryland benefits from these skills are leadership, coordination and innovation -- not taxpayer dollars," said Sen. James C. Rosapepe, D-Prince George's, co-sponsor of the task force legislation.

Legislative action isn't necessary, Rosapepe said, and this innovation can occur at the local level among school systems and communities.

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