Hunter Mill District

Hunter Mill District Candidate Responses to Fairfax FLAGS

Below are responses provided by School Board candidates, Pat Hynes and Nancy Linton.

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?

Hynes:I do support that goal. If we hope to continue to provide a world-class education, we must offer our students an extensive and continuously expanding menu of world languages. College and career opportunities open up for students with foreign language skills. In this challenging, global job market, we owe our graduates every advantage. We also know that studying the language and culture of another country provides perspective and a deeper understanding of history. As we move away from end-of-year standardized tests as the only measure of achievement, we should include mastery of a foreign language as an important indicator of academic success for our students here in Fairfax County.

Linton: Yes, I strongly support this goal. The United States is one of very few countries in which citizens are not bilingual. This has put the U.S. at a great disadvantage in our global economy.


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

Hynes: I do. Research shows that younger students learn languages more easily than older students and that more years of study lead to greater fluency. We also believe that the young brain benefits from the exercise of learning another language, building flexibility and strength in math and reading skills. Immersion is the most effective way to learn another language, but it is not the best choice for every student. The FLES program provides language instruction in the elementary day, lead by teachers and incorporated into the curriculum. FLES is especially valuable in the busy elementary schedule because it builds foreign language skills in context, reinforcing content instruction. For that reason, FLES is preferable to canned language programs, like Rosetta Stone.

Linton: Yes, I do. Language instruction is just as important as music and art instruction. Not only will it lead to children being fluent in another language, it helps their brain development. There is also a great deal of research that supports children being able to learn another language more effectively if they start learning at younger ages.


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?

Hynes: Absolutely. Residents of Fairfax County understand the connection between foreign language skills and career opportunities, perhaps better than many other communities. International organizations and many federal government agencies provide rewarding career paths for those who can communicate effectively in other languages. As the world gets smaller and communication skills become ever more important, our students will be very well-served by a strong foundation in other cultures and languages.

Linton: Yes, I do. One if the 21st century skills is communication. While this is often thought of as being skilled in verbal and written communication in one’s own language, being able to communicate with people that speak other languages is also vital.


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?

Hynes: I do. We have invested a great deal in our elementary foreign language programs because we believe they are essential to a world-class education. They are a source of pride for our school system and one of the reasons we continue to attract families and employers from all over the world to Fairfax County. We must not allow budget challenges to threaten the things we do best. It is the school board’s responsibility to lead the advocacy effort for full funding of all our important education programs. With the active, organized support of the many families who benefit directly from our elementary foreign language programs, and continued support from private benefactors, I feel confident we will continue to find the needed resources.

Linton: It is high priority to me to keep these programs intact. I have a plan to take a holistic perspective in looking for efficiencies in the current budget and operations in order to not only preserve these programs but ultimately expand them to all students and achieve FCPS’s goal. When I was PTA President at Fox Mill Elementary, foreign language programs were being considered for cuts during budget reviews. I regularly informed parents of public hearings and ways to contact school board members to voice their opposition to these cuts.


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?

Hynes: I would. We have much to recover, after the last three years of budget cuts, and that recovery may be slow. Expansion of elementary foreign language programs may not be at the top of the list, as we respond to increasing concerns over class size, student fees, persistent achievement gaps and lagging employee salaries. As with full-day kindergarten, however, a strong argument can be made that uneven provision of FLES across the county is inequitable because we know that it improves education outcomes for students. I feel confident that an independent auditor would help the new school board find savings and advocate more effectively for funding, opening up renewed opportunities to put FLES back on track toward full roll-out.

Linton: Yes, I consider starting language instruction at younger ages a high priority and will push for efficiency reviews in order to locate money to help fund FLES. I personally had four years of Spanish starting in 9th grade including AP Spanish, however, I do not speak Spanish. My cousin was taught Spanish beginning in 1st grade and is fluent. I believe starting at a young age makes learning a language very achievable and a normal part of the curriculum. America is falling behind many countries in our achievement. I believe the failure to offer a second language to all children is one of the contributing factors.


*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.