As Ann Arbor Public School parents, we are deeply disappointed at the district’s recommendation to cut elementary world language. The wide-ranging benefits of introducing world language to students at an early age far exceed the minimal cost savings. This decision will cost much more in learning opportunities, excellent teaching staff, and competitiveness for our district than the initial cost savings.

• To stay competitive with neighboring districts and maintain, if not grow, elementary enrollment, AAPS must keep foreign language in all elementary schools. For reference, neighboring districts start world language offerings well before 4th grade, including: 
o Ypsilanti public schools – World language offered starting in 2nd grade
o Lincoln Consolidated Schools – World language offered starting in Kindergarten
o Brighton public schools – World language offered starting in 2nd grade
 

• World language, starting from an early age, is essential in a multi-cultural district, such as Ann Arbor, where approximately 1/5 of its residents were born outside of the U.S. and speak a language other than English.
 

• The district is proposing that approximately 89% of its current non-educator staff will remain in place, while simultaneously cutting almost 100% of its elementary foreign language educators. (Source:  Slide 19, https://www.a2schools.org/Page/20138
 

• Foreign language teaching positions are notoriously hard to fill. Cutting hard-to-fill positions is short-sighted, as there may be a time in the near future that the district decides to reintroduce the program.
 

• AAPS is actively recruiting families to increase enrollment numbers in the district, but by cutting this program deemed essential by Ann Arbor parents, they will not only lose current families, but will fail to attract new families in the future. This is counterproductive for the long-term financial health of the district. The immediate cost-saving of only $400K is simply not worth it.
 

It is important to note the broad-ranging benefits of elementary world language, including: 

• Increased understanding of other cultures, memory retention, and social/emotional skills, while narrowing the achievement gap
• High scores in cognitive subjects, greater college acceptance rates, and enhanced career opportunities
• According to Piaget, kids should be exposed to as many different
communities, cultures, and attitudes as possible before the age of 10.
• Young children easily learn and retain world language skills.
• Parents greatly value elementary world language and will seek out schools
that offer it, bringing in tax dollars. The elementary world language program, with just nine teachers, is a cost-effective way to deliver a curriculum that is in high demand.

Based on the reasons outlined above, we respectfully request AAPS reverse the recommendation to eliminate the elementary world language program as part of resolving the current budget crisis.