ASHLAND, Ore. (AP) -- All first-grade students in Ashland School District will begin learning Spanish in 2011 and continue with lessons each year through 12th grade. The Ashland Daily Tidings reports that the school board voted Monday to start a European model of second-language instruction, where language teachers give students daily lessons lasting about 30 minutes.
A grade will be added to the program each year, until all students are receiving second-language instruction.
The board's vote was 3-2.
Opponents expressed concern about paying for the program, but vice chairwoman Heidi Parker says it's important that high school graduates have the ability to speak at least one other language.
