LANSING, MI (AP)-- Foreign language studies could be de-emphasized in Michigan under a bill that would drop it as a high school graduation requirement.
The Detroit News reports Monday that supporters of the change say it would offer more flexibility for students who plan to bypass college for a technical career.
The bill sponsored by Republican state Representative Phil Potvin of Cadillac would allow students to meet Algebra 2 and foreign language requirements by including computer science instead. The bill is expected to be taken up this year by the House Education Committee.
The Michigan Department of Education opposes the bill.
Currently, students must take foreign language in grades nine through 12 to graduate. Starting with students who entered third grade in 2006, foreign language study counts in grades kindergarten through eight.
