Springfield District

Springfield District Candidate Responses to Fairfax FLAGS

Below are responses provided by School Board candidates, Elizabeth Schultz and John Wittman.  

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?

Schultz: I do support fluency in more than one language where possible. We are a global society and having the ability to communicate in another language creates social, business and cultural opportunities which would not otherwise exist. I have personally benefitted from exposure to and the ability to communicate in several languages (French, Spanish, Russian) though I am proficient in none. There are students who do not have a capacity to acquire a foreign language skill and there should be commensurate accommodations when necessary.

Wittman: Yes, the 21st Century is a global environment. Communication is what life and commerce is based upon. Therefore, the ability to speak, read and write in the recipient’s language is an element of ‘critical thinking.’


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?

Schultz: Of the various education models which deliver foreign language instruction in the classroom, for the given population of ~177,000 students, 194 schools and the geographic expanse of Fairfax County, which model will deliver the best outcome for students is not something on which I am versed. Nonetheless, beginning foreign language instruction in elementary school provides, I believe, the greatest opportunity for success in achieving fluency.

Wittman: Yes, my understanding is younger children learn language with greater proficiency and in less time than those in later years (although languages at any school age is an advantage). In my own home, our daughter took French in elementary and was able to skip a class level in high school, and received the French Award in 11th grade.


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?

Schultz: Without a doubt, the mobility of society, the global economy, the need for seamless conduct of commerce across language and cultural lines support students acquiring multiple language skills. In addition, for purposes of National Security, fostering an interest in and capacity for foreign language skills needs to be a much greater focus for K-12 education.

Wittman: Yes indeed. Please see question response #1.


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?

Schultz: The budget challenges are significant and the issue of priorities needs to be organically addressed within the community, not just by the School Board. A School Board needs to reflect the will and voice of the stakeholders and if the public determines this is a priority – at 20,000 students or better than 10% of the FCPS student enrollment, that is a demonstrative voice – then the School Board should earnestly work to preserve this important curriculum.

Wittman: Yes, it would be irresponsible to remove the program from those already participating and benefiting from Immersion and FLES.


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?

Schultz: Part of my advocacy has centered upon incorporating a (true) independent audit function similar to that which the Board of Supervisors has for the 46%-47% of Fairfax County’s budget which remains after the transfer to FCPS. Utilizing a programmatic and financial independent audit function will greatly enhance the School Board’s ability to have an arms’ length review of where and how our education dollars are spent and help redirect the maximum dollars to the classroom to help preserve a curriculum which has great depth, including foreign language, fine arts, Honors, etc. I believe in a school system the size of Fairfax County, we should be providing the greatest amount of breadth and depth in our curriculum choices as possible.

Wittman: Yes, we all suffer with the limitations caused by budget restrictions. Programs “that work” need to be expanded when fiscally practical to do so. Expansion may occur even a few schools at a time over several years.


* 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.