The time has come to expand opportunities for Portuguese-speaking students across the United States. We are calling on the College Board to approve the creation of an AP Portuguese course. Portuguese is the sixth most spoken language in the world and the third most spoken European language in the United States. Yet, despite the growing Portuguese-speaking communities in states like Florida, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, students currently have no way to certify their advanced Portuguese language skills through the widely recognized Advanced Placement (AP) Program.

Why This Matters: Over 1.4 million people speak Portuguese at home in the U.S, according to the Census Bureau, and the number continues to grow as immigrants from Brazil, Portugal, and Portuguese-speaking African countries enrich American culture. Cities like Boston and Miami have vibrant Portuguese-speaking communities, with schools offering bilingual and Portuguese programs to meet the demand. However, as students progress through their academic journey, they face a significant gap: there is no AP Portuguese course that allows them to certify their proficiency, despite the existence of AP exams for other languages like Spanish, French, and Italian.

This is not just about language; it's about equal access to educational opportunities. An AP Portuguese course would provide Portuguese-speaking students with a path to academic recognition, help them stand out in college applications, and prepare them for professional opportunities in a globalized economy. Moreover, it would foster deeper cultural connections for students of Portuguese heritage and those wishing to learn the language as a second language.

What You Can Do: By signing this petition, you will be helping us prove to the College Board that there is significant demand for an AP Portuguese course. Your signature will demonstrate that this language is not only relevant but also necessary to support the growing Portuguese-speaking population in the U.S.

Here’s why we need your support:

Growing Portuguese-speaking population: The U.S. has thriving communities of Portuguese speakers, but they lack access to certification for their language skills at the high school level.

Increased academic opportunities: An AP Portuguese course would level the playing field for Portuguese-speaking students, giving them the same academic recognition as students of other widely taught languages.

Cultural and economic relevance: Portuguese is critical not just culturally, but economically. Brazil, the largest Portuguese-speaking nation, is a major player in global trade, and Portugal continues to influence key economic policies in Europe.

Join us in this movement! By signing this petition, you will be supporting students, educators, and families who want to see Portuguese offered as part of the AP program. We believe that this course is long overdue, and with your help, we can present a united front to the College Board, showcasing the undeniable need for AP Portuguese. Share this petition with your friends, family, and community so that together, we can create change and open doors for future generations of students.

Sign now and invite others to do the same!