Fayette elementary foreign language teachers will be moved to middle schools, board member says

Elementary foreign language teaching positions in Fayette County Schools are being moved to middle schools, Fayette school board member Amanda Ferguson said.

In a text message to the Herald-Leader, Ferguson said she confirmed the information after an elementary school teacher mentioned changes to the program.

In middle schools, foreign language classes will be offered daily.

“The move would facilitate language acquisition through middle and high school instead of providing somewhat random weekly exposure of foreign language for elementary students,“ Ferguson said.

Ferguson said current elementary foreign language Spanish immersion programs at Maxwell and Liberty elementary schools would not be affected.

District spokesperson Dia Davidson-Smith said no teacher positions will be cut.

World culture and traditions will be the emphasis in elementary schools and foreign language introduction and mastery will be the focus in middle and high school, Davidson-Smith said.

Davidson-Smith could not immediately provide further details Tuesday about how the elementary program currently works and what the changes will mean for students and faculty.

“We are reimagining language learning, giving access to all students K-12,” Davidson-Smith said

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is available.

This story was originally published February 14, 2024 at 10:58 AM.