Students in Wyoming might soon lose a powerful incentive to study foreign languages.
A measure moving through the state legislature would remove a language requirement for students seeking a popular state college scholarship, reports the Casper Star-Tribune.
The Joint Education Committee this week backed a bill removing the foreign-language requirement for all levels of the Hathaway Scholarship program, which helps students pay tuition at the state’s seven community colleges and the University of Wyoming, the story says.
Currently, the story explains, students working toward the two highest levels of the scholarship must take at least two years of the same foreign language, one year of that in high school. Students eligible for the third and fourth levels must demonstrate proficiency in a language according to state standards.
If the proposal becomes law, students could instead substitute two years of study or proficiency in the fine and performing arts or career and technical education courses.
The legislature created the four-tiered Hathaway Scholarship in 2006.