As a person of Italian heritage living in the Beaverton School district, this issue of the absence of Italian language instruction courses is deeply personal to me and other residents of Italian descent. The richness and historical significance of the Italian language is undisputed worldwide, yet it remains conspicuously absent in our local curriculum. All International Baccalaureate (IB) schools in our area, including Sunset High School, and International School of Beaverton fail to offer Italian as an elective course for students. This is a gross oversight considering there are over 63 million Italian speakers worldwide, making it the 20th most spoken language (Ethnologue, 2019). Further, familiarizing students with Italian language and culture can open up opportunities to study, work or travel in Italy, which has one of the world's top seven economies, adding to the language’s global significance (World Bank, 2020). It's time for our schools to recognize the value of this language and culture, and offer an Italian course to enable students to broaden their horizons, rediscover their roots, or simply enjoy learning a new language. Please sign this petition to request Sunset High School to add an Italian language course to their curriculum.

A question you may have is "What would be the costs?"

To assess the costs of adding an Italian language course to Sunset High School (or any school in the Beaverton School District), several factors need to be considered, each with its own associated costs. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:

1. Cost of Hiring a New Teacher:
Teacher Salary: The salary of a new teacher depends on factors like experience, education level, and district pay scales. For public high schools in Oregon, starting salaries for teachers typically range from around $45,000 to $55,000 per year for a full-time position, though experienced teachers with advanced degrees can earn more. The Beaverton School District follows state salary schedules, which can be found on their official site or district labor union agreements.
Benefits and Other Costs: In addition to salary, benefits like healthcare, retirement contributions, and other employee perks can add approximately 30%-40% to the salary cost. This means the total annual cost for hiring a teacher could be around $60,000-$80,000, depending on the specifics.
2. Finding a Classroom for the New Course:
Classroom Space: Assuming the school has available classrooms (which is common), there is typically no additional "cost" for space. However, if a classroom needs to be repurposed or renovated (for example, installing specific resources or technology for language teaching), the cost can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on the work needed.
Facilities and Resources: For an Italian language course, certain resources like language software, audio equipment, and textbooks might be needed. Budgeting $500-$2,000 for initial materials (e.g., textbooks, online subscriptions, and audio/visual aids) would be reasonable, but costs will vary depending on how resources are sourced (digital vs. print materials, etc.).
3. Cost or Time to Develop a Curriculum:
Curriculum Development Time: Developing a curriculum can range from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the depth and breadth of the program. Teachers might be able to adapt an existing foreign language curriculum for Italian, but it would still require considerable planning and adjustment. As a student currently in Beaverton School District Spanish classes, I think they should follow a similar curriculum from Intro to Spanish, as it teaches the perfect course to a harder class.
Teacher or Specialist Time: If a teacher is assigned to develop the curriculum, their time can be accounted for within their salary. However, if curriculum development is outsourced to specialists or an external educational consultant, costs could vary significantly. A freelance curriculum developer might charge between $50 to $150 per hour.
Curriculum Materials: Purchasing or licensing materials (textbooks, software, etc.) for a new course could cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000, depending on the resources chosen.
4. Other Associated Costs:
Professional Development: Teachers may need professional development (PD) in teaching Italian, which can range from $100 to $1,000 for workshops, courses, or conferences, depending on the format and duration.
Ongoing Class Operation Costs: If the class is successful and continues year over year, you’ll have ongoing costs for textbooks, supplies, and teacher development. These might range between $1,000 to $5,000 annually, depending on the number of students and course materials used.
Summary of Costs:
Teacher Salary & Benefits: $60,000 - $80,000 annually
Classroom Materials and Setup: $500 - $2,000
Curriculum Development (Time/Consultant): $500 - $2,000 (if outsourced)
Ongoing Operational Costs: $1,000 - $5,000 annually
Total Estimated Initial Investment:
$61,000 to $89,000 for the first year (including teacher salary, curriculum development, and classroom setup).

Ongoing Costs (Subsequent Years):
Teacher Salary and Benefits: $60,000 - $80,000
Materials & Supplies: $1,000 - $5,000 annually
These figures are estimates and would vary based on specific factors, such as the availability of resources within the school and how much work is done internally versus outsourced. For precise cost breakdowns, it would be best to consult with the school district directly.

Why to learn Italian.

1. Cultural Enrichment
Italy has a rich history in art, music, fashion, and cuisine. Learning the language helps students appreciate Italian culture, from Michelangelo to Gucci.
It deepens understanding of classical history, as Latin and Italian are closely related.
2. Travel & Study Abroad Opportunities
Knowing Italian makes travel to Italy more immersive and enjoyable.
Many universities offer study abroad programs in Italy, and having prior knowledge of the language is beneficial.
3. College & Career Benefits
Taking Italian in high school can fulfill college language requirements.
It can open doors to careers in international business, tourism, fashion, art, and cuisine.
Italian is useful in global industries like automobile design (Ferrari, Lamborghini), luxury brands (Prada, Versace), and fine dining.
4. Easier to Learn than You Think
Italian is a Romance language, closely related to Spanish and French, making it easier to learn if you know one of these languages.
It has phonetic spelling, meaning words are pronounced as they are written.
5. Stand Out on College Applications
Since Italian is less commonly studied than Spanish or French, taking it can make you stand out to college admissions.
It shows intellectual curiosity and an appreciation for global cultures.
6. Connect with Heritage & Community
If you have Italian ancestry, learning the language can help you connect with your roots.
Many cities have Italian-American communities where the language can be useful.