Dranesville District

Dranesville District Candidate Responses to Fairfax FLAGS

Below are responses provided by School Board candidates, Louise Epstein and Janie Strauss (incumbent).

Q1: Do you support the School Board’s student achievement goal 1.2 – all students should graduate with the ability to communicate in at least two languages? Why or why not?

Epstein: Yes, except that this goal needs to take into account that some students (such as those with auditory processing learning disabilities) have more difficulty than other students trying to learn a foreign language.

Strauss: Yes, I wholeheartedly support 1.2 and want to return to funding elementary foreign language in all our schools. Virginia, the U.S and the world need bilingual citizens so we can communicate better and solve the global problems facing all of us. The U.S. is at a disadvantage because we are not training our children and citizens to speak more than one language. I refused to cut funding for FLES or Immersion in the FY2009, FY2010 and FY2011 budgets. I met a number of times with parents who support FLES and Immersion and championed their cause with my fellow School Board members. At the School Board meeting on October 17th, I reaffirmed my commitment to this goal and indicated that we need to return to the expansion of FLES in the FY2013 budget.


Q2: Do you believe that starting world language instruction in elementary school classrooms with teacher-based programs such as Immersion and FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools) is the best way to develop the higher levels of language proficiency needed to accomplish the above goal? Why or why not?

Epstein: It makes sense to start foreign language instruction early. I believe that direct instruction from teachers normally is the best way for students to learn subjects. However, for some students, other delivery approaches may work better.

Strauss: The earlier children learn a second language the better. More children will be proficient in a second language by graduation if we begin instruction in the elementary schools. Our own statistics and reports show that early language learning positively impacts a student’s ability to be able to communicate in two languages by high school graduation. The recent report on the 1.2 School Board goal shows positive results for students who are in FLES or Immersion as they progress through school. Also the cognitive flexibility gained through early second language acquisition is a plus for learning other languages.

While technology and programs such as Rosetta Stone can be a valuable tool, children still need to learn with teachers and interact face to face with others in order to make the best progress in learning a new language. A teacher-based program is the most successful approach.


Q3: Do you consider second or multiple language skills to be an important aspect of 21st century skills for today’s students to successfully compete in the future? Why or why not?

Epstein: Jobs vary in the extent to which foreign language skills are useful. If one purpose of the FCPS foreign language achievement goal is to prepare students to compete in the future, then FCPS needs to examine which foreign languages are most likely to be useful to students with different career aspirations.

Strauss: Absolutely. Success in the global environment is enhanced by proficiency in more than English. Our children will take their place in a shrinking world where economic and political solutions will be enhanced by understanding the languages and cultures of others. Many of our Dranesville parents work every day in companies that are negotiating contracts that span many countries, cultures and languages. As well, the U.S. government values employees who can speak Chinese, Arabic, Spanish and South East Asian languages. Having to depend solely on interpreters to navigate important negotiations puts us at a disadvantage. Knowing the language and cultures of those we are trying to partner with provides a much deeper and more nuanced understanding of the ideas and problems being discussed. A stable, vibrant economy and political climate for all peoples is enhanced by a better understanding of everyone’s languages and cultures.


Q4: Our elementary foreign language programs (Immersion and FLES) currently serve nearly 20,000* elementary students at 44 schools. Given that FCPS will continue to face budget challenges, do you consider it a priority to keep these programs intact for children currently benefitting from them at existing schools?

Epstein: Funding effective foreign language instruction is a priority.


Strauss: Yes, we must continue to support the programs by adding each successive year to where the programs now exist. We must also fund the expansion of FLES to other schools. Those schools with an Immersion program also want FLES. Many parents at Great Falls Elementary have spoken to me about wanting FLES since the Immersion program only serves a subset of their elementary students. I fully support these parents in their request for a FLES program in addition to the Japanese Immersion program.


Q5: The FLES program was originally scheduled to be implemented over a seven- year period; however, expansion beyond the existing 32 schools was put on hold due to the recession and budget constraints. Would you support continued expansion of the FLES program in the future to bring foreign language instruction to all FCPS elementary students? Why or why not?

Epstein: The cost of expanding FLES to additional elementary schools must be weighed against other potential uses of those funds. In addition, it might be worth experimenting with other methods of language instruction, such as those offered in foreign countries that are known for the effectiveness of their English language instruction. In the interim, one option might be to allow elementary school students to pupil place into schools for foreign language programs.

Strauss: Yes, I support continued expansion. All children should learn to be bilingual.


*Exact student enrollment numbers for FLES and immersion for the current 2011-2012 school year were not yet available from the FCPS World Language office at this time, however, should be available soon.