Why the rush to teach Chinese?

I noted your article concerning District 25 offering Chinese language study to fourth graders. I was surprised at the lack of substance in the article considering the impact to our students. I would have hoped for a little research.

Did you know that Chinese will be required for all fourth graders? It is not an option. It will have to fit within the existing school day.

The foreign language seminar that was held was attended by about 50 people, most of whom were administrators and staff. In spite of the bias, the overwhelming choice of language for elementary school was Spanish, not Chinese.

Did you know that Chinese will take away from students other studies in math, reading and writing? Chinese does not correlate very well with English. At least with Spanish you could justify the romance language correlation. Not so with Chinese.

Finally, the superintendent insisted on adding Chinese to the Middle School curriculum. Only four students at South Middle School opted for Chinese (It) does not sound like much of a demand from parents or students. The high schools do not offer Chinese.

The grant you mention to offer Chinese is great. However, the grant is limited. Sooner or later the taxpayer will have to pick up this additional cost. I do not want to pay for this, do you?

Finally, District 25 ISAT reading and writing scores have lagged about 20 points behind math and science for years. Why not spend the time on those subjects first?

I am opposed to this new requirement. Our children's time is better spent elsewhere. Even so, I still want to know what is the real reason for this requirement. Can the Daily Herald tell me?

Dan Petro

Arlington Heights