The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is nearly finished revising its World Languages curriculum to align with national and state standards.
High school students will still have six options available to them inside the classroom and through distance learning programs, for skills that are becoming more relevant in the workplace and college admissions.
“Our school counselors do let high school students know that most often two years of the same world language is a requirement for admissions to a four-year college,” said Assistant Superintendent of Instruction John O’Brien. “However, it is not a high school graduation requirement.”
There are no plans to establish any language learning requirements, he said.
According to Board of Education policy, an assessment is required every seven years. The World Languages Committee met for the first time in April, beginning this round.
Languages are electives, and 4.5 elective credits needed to graduate, said Curriculum and Assessment Coordinator Melissa Linton. Spanish, French, Russian, and Sugt’sun, also known as the Chugach dialiect of Alutiiq, offered at Nanwalek School in Nanwalek, are offered at various sites based on student interest and the availability of qualified staff. In addition, the Distance Learning Program offers Italian, French, and Spanish, she said.