Tennessee State Board of Education (SBE) Chairman Robert Eby’s proposed study of Tennessee’s foreign language graduation requirement is sparking backlash from education leaders, college officials, and concerned community members. At a State Board of Education (SBE) rulemaking hearing late last month, Tennesseans from across the state voiced strong support for keeping the requirement, citing its role in college admissions, workforce readiness, and student opportunity.
“Retaining the two-credit world language requirement is not just about the curriculum,” said one public commenter, Gibson Keith. “It’s about ensuring our students are equipped for the world that they are entering. This requirement is not a burden; it is an opportunity. I urge you to preserve it.”
Currently, high school students in Tennessee must complete two credits in the same foreign language to graduate, unless they obtain a waiver signed by a parent or guardian. That waiver must also be approved by the school…