SOS AP Italian Language and Culture

In 2001, after years of lobbying by national Italian American organizations, the College Board conducted a feasibility study for Advanced Placement Italian Language, surveying school principals and high school teachers of Italian to gauge levels of interest. After careful consideration, in 2003 the College Board announced the creation of the AP course and examination in Italian language and culture. A national task force was formed to outline the curriculum and draft the AP Italian examination specifications. Finally, the first AP Italian Language and Culture course commenced in the fall of 2005, followed by the first exam in May 2006.

So it was a huge shock and disappointment to Italian language educators, students, and advocates alike when, without warning, the College Board announced this spring that AP Italian Language and Culture [was] slated to be eliminated after the May 2009 test.

Organization Formed To Save AP Italian
Almost immediately upon receiving the bad news, Italian language educators and advocates, as well as members of the Italian American community, sprang into action to prevent the AP Italian exam from being terminated. In July a non-profit organization called the Italian Language Foundation was established to promote and help underwrite the AP Italian Language and Culture Program. In a statement announcing the creation of the foundation, Matilda Cuomo, former first lady of the state of New York and chair of the Committee to Establish the Italian AP Program, said: "The Italian-American community is galvanized in its determination that high school students have the opportunity to enroll in Advanced Placement courses in Italian."

How To Help
According to the Italian Language Foundation Web site, "...the cost of sustaining AP Italian may involve millions of dollars until [such] time that it becomes self-sustaining through an enriched infrastructure, teacher training, and increased student participation." There are several ways to support the efforts of the organization to insure the future of the Advanced Placement Italian Language and Culture program.

Donate: Make a tax-deductible contribution to the Italian Language Foundation to help ensure that the AP program in Italian is funded in perpetuity, and that Italian language and culture studies remain a growing part of the American educational system.

Volunteer: Become a member of an Italian Language Foundation task force. You'll report on the status of the AP programs in Italian in the schools within your district or geographical area, help establish AP programs in Italian in high schools not currently offering such programs, and advocate for the establishment of middle and high school Italian language classes in schools in your area.