Sully District

Sully District Candidate Responses to Fairfax FLAGS

Below are responses provided by School Board candidates, Sheila Ratnam and Kathy Smith (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?

Ratnam: Yes, I support it. With our “global village” continuing to grow, it is imperative our children have the foreign language skills to communicate effectively. There are multiple studies that point to the academic, social, and cognitive advantages for students who learn a foreign language.

Smith: I was on the school board when we were changing the student achievement goals and advocated this addition to the goals to my colleagues. I had attended the PTA meetings at Waples Mill and Navy elementary schools and the parents at each school advocated for language instruction in the elementary school. At that time there was language instruction in some of our elementary schools, but there wasn’t a big picture look at how we could accomplish this for all of our students. I requested our staff to analyze the situation and to develop a system to implement language instruction for all of our elementary school students. Staff developed the FLES program. I wanted language instruction to be included in the student achievement goals so that it would be clear that the school board had this as a priority for all elementary school students. At the budget work session on October 17, I encouraged my colleagues on the school board to raise the priority of student achievement goal 1.2 and work towards expanding the FLES program to additional schools.


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?

Ratnam: Yes, it is. It’s much easier to get children to learn another language at earlier ages. If they develop the proper pronunciations, grammar, and sentence structure of another language younger, chances are they will struggle less with that language as they get older. On the same line, there must be continual reinforcement of what they learn. Young minds are able to absorb the data with greater ease and many studies have proven that.

Smith: I support regular, scheduled classroom instruction with a qualified teacher. Children are able to pick up native sounds when they start to learn a language at the elementary level. Research shows academic, cognitive and cultural benefits as well. Students also have the ability to become fluent in the language when they begin in elementary school and therefore have more years of study.


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?

Ratnam: Absolutely! We have to prepare our children for what the future holds. The United States Congress said it best BACK in 1994:

"Foreign language is crucial to our nation's economic competitiveness and national security. Multilingualism enhances cognitive and social growth, competitiveness in the global marketplace (four out of five new jobs in the United States are created from foreign trade), national security, and understanding of diverse people and cultures. As we approach a new century where global communication will be essential for survival, we cannot afford the luxury of international ignorance..."-- The United States Congress, Foreign Language Assistance Act of 1994

I agree 110% with this statement.

Smith: I believe that it is vital for our students to communicate in languages other than English. We have a global economy and also live in a diverse community. Our nation needs more citizens who are able to communicate in languages so that we are successful.


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?

Ratnam: Absolutely! It should be a priority. If we stop teaching our children due to budget constraints, they will be at a disadvantage. It’s our responsibility to afford them every opportunity to succeed and being multilingual will one day be vital.

Smith: I support the FLES and immersion programs and would not support eliminating either program. There is a need and community desire for both programs. When the FLES program was not included in the FY 2011 proposed budget, I sponsored the amendment to add FLES back into the budget. It is a top priority for me to keep these programs funded. The students in these existing programs should be able to access them for all of their elementary education.


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?

Ratnam: Yes, I would support it. We need to stay internationally competitive. The advantage of knowing multiple languages aids in opening doors to opportunity for our children. It will help bridge cultural gaps, as well. The world work force is in demand of people who can speak multiple languages. As I stated in #2, it’s much easier to get children to learn another language at earlier ages. Young minds are able to absorb the data with greater ease and many studies have proven that.

Smith: The initial plan to implement FLES in all our elementary schools within seven years was delayed because of the economy. Even though we were unable to expand the program to additional schools, I supported expanding the program in the schools which already had it, so each year we were able to add a grade level. I want to expand the program to additional schools. I feel strongly that all of our elementary school students should be able to access language instruction.


*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.