From the Forum: AP Latin Cancelled
Although I do support the efforts of eLatin eGreek eLearn (AP Latin Literature Cancelled -- Please Add Your Name and An Alternative to AP), I've hesitated to post my own reactions because I try to see at least two sides to every issue. The problem is I don't see a second side or a silver lining to the decision to remove the Latin AP exam.
The closest I can come is that teens who don't give up, but continue to study Latin, won't be doing so to prepare for the exam, but because they love the language. Unfortunately, that's insufficient motivation for the competitive track known as high school. Even back in the days when I was in high school, most of us studied to get into college, which meant two things: get good grades and prepare for the college boards. Pressures have only increased since then. Whether the schools will be able to teach the extra year is another matter.
At first I wondered why Vergil was the exam with staying power. It has only been within the last decade that I have become fond of Vergil. The Aeneid told too many in-jokes, so to speak, and Vergil was too smug for for my 16-year-old self. Yes, Vergil is important, but it was also important to have someone more human and imperfect to look forward to (or remember), like Ovid and Catullus. But if you're going to get rid of a subject gradually, you have to start somewhere: Vergil's name has more clout.
Many people who comment on this sad state of affairs see the future day when the inexorable College Board removes the AP Vergil exam, as well. It's not even only Latin, but English teachers who point to all the benefits of Latin. Although removing the Vergil AP exam is not on the transparent books right now, it seems likely, especially since the figures for Latin students are never likely to hit the figures of several hundred thousands for popular, lucrative subjects like U.S. History and English (see Washington Post: AP Language, Computer Courses Cut).
There are already lots of nails in Latin's coffin. She doesn't need any more.
[Original Post:]
Forum member (and educator) Aulus reports on news directly affecting U.S. high schools that teach Latin and indirectly affecting colleges and universities.
I just learned this evening that the wonderful folks running the national AP programs have, out of the blue, cancelled the AP Latin Lit course after next year, leaving only the AP Virgil course. This is after many Latin teachers and their schools have already spent money and time on getting this ready for next year, to say nothing of the publishers of the books for it.
[end of original post]
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Comments
There is an on-line petition over on eclassics.ning.com — over 100 signatures and comments so far from Latin teachers both in the US and UK. The outcry from this decision has been overwhelming and predictable. Latin neither begins nor ends with Vergil.
Keep up the good work in the US and the UK. I taught Latin in Queensland (Australia) and was continually struggling to persuade the community that Latin was a worthwhile subject.It is declining in the universities and few students ever get to do Latin there. Vergil and his Aeneid was one area of study that gave me great pleasure especially when the poetry was read aloud. Please keep protesting!!
Very Best Wishes
Lynette Seckold
I fondly remember my introduction to Latin was in the Catholic school system. Latin laid the foundation to my study of Spanish and one of the reasons I breezed through it so easily. Today when i go to church i find myself translating the English mass into Latin. Latin also laid out the start of my vocabulary. I still find myself using Latin phrases….quale…qualia…terminus ad quem….terminus adquo…i rest my case.
What was the point of submitting and having approved syllabi on the AP Course Audit? This was completely out of the blue, especially as I had planned to continue building my program by offering both AP Latins as options.
Latin must be taught at all US schools. It opens up doors to various other European languages, to include English. Not only is the language important to begin to understand the creation of our own modern languages, but so is the history associated with it, especially the Roman and Greek cultures. It’s a must have language.
As a high school English teacher, I deem it vital that Latin be taught to children as early as possible in their education. It is
foundational to students learning vocabulary and strengthening their reading skills at every grade level. Its cross-curriculum value is inestimable. On a daily basis, I see students struggle with the vocabulary that is indigenous to every content area in high school. If Latin is not included in every school district’s curriculum, we will see many more NCLB results… Numerous Children Left Behind! I salute the Latin teachers of the world! You have my deepest respect and gratitude.
I’m afraid modernity has been nudging Latin and other ‘classical’ languages over the precipice of secondary-school oblivion for quite a long time. Does the money still exist to hire Latin teachers? Are there enough Latin teachers being prepared out there? I have a friend from Madrid, Spain who taught Latin for a couple of years in the New York area on the strength of her two years of secondary school Latin and her Masters degree in Spanish instruction; there weren’t enough Latin teachers in the area.
Most folks who study Latin (and Greek, and Sanskrit) tend to want the higher-paying jobs, or the more rarefied academic atmosphere, of universities, or (for the Sanskrit few) something a bit less nerve-wracking than high school– something more along the lines of a Yoga or Ayurveda training center.
Latin and the other ‘classical’ languages, is an elite concern at levels below university, and its continued erosion at those lower levels predictably inevitable, judging from the way the world works. Regrettable, but predictable.