Lexington High School’s world language curriculum currently offers seven language programs, two of which are German and American Sign Language (ASL). Heading into the 2026-2027 school year, the LHS Language Department has decided to phase out the German program and extend the ASL program from a two-year course to a four-year course.
Amy Moran, the Head of the Language Department, explained the process and rationale behind implementing these changes, which are largely due to the significant decline in enrollment in the German program.
“There was talk of phasing out the German program in 2015, so it’s not a completely new concern. We monitor enrollment in our programs, and it’s a challenge at a time when resources are tight to run very small classes, when we have classes of 25 students in other languages,” Moran explained.
Separate from the withdrawal of German courses, the ASL program was expanded as it is currently shorter compared to the six other language courses offered at LHS.
“ASL is our only language that’s a two-year program, and the administration and I want there to be equitable opportunities for students,” Moran said.
Similar to German, the department evaluated multiple factors before making changes to the ASL curriculum, including program data and feedback from other departments.
“We engage in something called curriculum review, and during that process, the teachers are examining, auditing, making revisions, and developing new [curricula],” Moran said. “At the same time, my role in curriculum review is examining our program and making changes to our program based on data, conversations, and interviews that we are having with stakeholders, counselors, the METCO department, special education, etc…expanding ASL came from a multi-year process of [reevaluating] our program.”
Joshua Koha, a junior taking German at LHS, explained how this change would affect future students.
“It doesn’t really affect me, but I do know that my siblings both want to take German, and they probably won’t because of it, so I’m not so happy about it,” Koha said.
Although the two reforms are occurring at the same time, Moran emphasized that they are not connected decisions.
“I want to be very clear that we are not expanding ASL at the expense of phasing out German. They’re happening at the same time, but they are two different programs and the reasons for why we are doing it [are different],” Moran said.
