Illinois lawmakers want to end foreign language requirement in high schools

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker says removing the state’s two-year high school foreign language requirement would give students more flexibility while easing pressure from what he calls an unfunded mandate that affects taxpayers.

State Rep. Travis Weaver, R-Edwards, is backing legislation introduced by Democratic state Rep. Rick Ryan, D-Evergreen Park, that would eliminate the statewide requirement that high school students complete two foreign language credits to graduate. Weaver said a superintendent raised the idea, saying the requirement limits students’ ability to take other courses.

“Technology changes and as technology changes, we should adapt to make sure we’re providing our students the best education that they can have based on the most recent data of what the future is going to look like,” Weaver told The Center Square.

House Bill 4334 comes as new translation technologies and artificial intelligence tools continue to develop, something Weaver said is already changing how people communicate across languages.

“You can buy Meta-glasses and look at somebody speaking a different language and it instantly translates it into your ear,” he said.

Weaver stressed the measure would not remove foreign language classes from schools, but would make them optional rather than mandatory.

“There’s only so many classes a student can take in high school,” Weaver said. “If you’re requiring a student to take two credits of foreign language, that’s two credits they don’t have for trades, math, science, art or music.”

Weaver said the education community have been among the strongest supporters of the proposal.

“I’ve actually seen the opposite of pushback,” he said when asked about concerns from teachers or unions.

Weaver said the change likely would not dramatically lower taxes but could reduce costs over time by giving districts flexibility in staffing and course offerings.

“It may not be a huge property tax mover, but philosophically anytime we have an unfunded mandate there are going to be costs with it,” he said.

Students planning to attend college would still likely need to take foreign language courses, Weaver noted, since many universities require two years of language study for admission.

“But if a student knows they’re going into carpentry or electrical work, I think they should be taking more carpentry or electrical classes instead of requiring foreign language just because,” he said.

The proposal has bipartisan support in the legislature, according to Weaver, who said growing attention around the measure suggests it has a viable path forward.

“It’s a common-sense bill and it should be passed,” he said.