Despite an increasing number of test-takers, the Board of Regents has recently decided to discontinue the Italian examination after June 2011.
According to the Italian Language Foundation, the Italian exam has had the highest growth of enrollment of any Regents language examination since 2005.
State Senator Joseph Addabbo is unhappy about the decision.
“In a global economy, it is imperative that our students have the ability to speak multiple languages as they enter the workforce. I believe that the elimination of the Italian Regents exam diminishes their ability to compete in our world economy,” said Addabbo.
As a member of the Senate Education Committee, the sentator is also concerned that the termination of the exam will likely result in the end of many high school Italian-language classes in New York State.
In a letter to the Chancellor at Large of New York State Board of Regents, Merryl H. Tisch, Addabbo has asked that the Board re-evaluate the implications of their decision on New York State students.
