FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 21st, 2010

Contact: (914) 686-7335

ASSEMBLYMAN CASTELLI FIGHTS TO KEEP

LANGUAGE REGENTS ALIVE IN NEW YORK STATE

Assemblyman Robert J Castelli (R, I, C – Goldens Bridge) is fighting efforts to eliminate

all language Regents examinations except for Spanish and French. The move is part of planned
budget cuts proposed by the Elementary, Middle, Secondary and Continuing Education
Committee (EMSC). The measure would eliminate Regent examinations in Italian, Latin,
Hebrew and German.

“Westchester County has a strong and vibrant Italian and Jewish culture with Italian and
Hebrew spoken in many homes,” Castelli said. “By eliminating these regents, we are doing a
disservice to decedents of these two cultures and are limiting Westchester students’ academic
potential at a time when we need to be expanding language classes to compete globally.”

Assemblyman Castelli noted that the move would lead to the termination of language
classes and the loss of qualified teachers, which would be a tremendous blow to the progress
second language classes have been making in recent decades.

“We would be doing a great injustice to New York students if we allow these cuts to
occur,” Castelli said. “Students need to have access to more languages if this and future
generations are going to have the tools they need to compete on the international stage.”

Assemblyman Castelli is a career educator. At Iona College and at John Jay College of
Criminal Justice, Castelli has used his experience to help shape the future leaders of our state.

“These language classes have deep cultural and educational importance to the community
and must be protected,” Castelli said. “At the end of the day I cannot support proposed cuts
would put short-sighted economic goals ahead of our students.”

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