To graduate, students must be able to pass a Spanish proficiency test. Speaking, listening, reading, and writing are part of the test. To prepare, students take Spanish for several years. 

Some students frequently forget the fundamentals of the language, such as the different parts of speech, numbers, and how to construct simple descriptive sentences. 

Meanwhile, some students who are fluent Spanish speakers do not engage in class discussions. 

Teachers must therefore review lessons previously taught once the new school year starts, preventing students from understanding the more challenging material included in Regents. Valuable class time is wasted when students could instead have classes that teach them about taxes and insurance to prepare them for the adult world.

Learning a new language can be beneficial, and Spanish is the most non-English language spoken in the US by far. New languages improve one’s ability to think, open up more work prospects, and make it easier to go to specific countries. 

However, if students don’t want to learn the language, they won’t utilize it effectively, making the course pointless. Fluent Spanish students are more likely to graduate and due to the Spanish Regents. 

WJPS freshmen, Sofia Camarillo stated, “I don’t mind having a Spanish class, but I don’t think it’s necessary enough to be a Regent.”

WJPS freshmen, Isabella Falcicchio stated, “Although the class is a good way to earn credits, it is not as important as the other major subjects that are required to pass every grade and be a Regent.”