CEP Refuses to Change Language Requirement

The Committee on Educational Policy yesterday voted to take no action on proposed changes in the language requirement despite the protest of language department officials.

"I don't like the present requirement," charged Jack M. Stein, professor of German, who is the only representative of the language departments on the CEP, "It's notoriously low; the students know that," Stein explained.

Stein would have preferred a course requirement for all students, or at least a 650 test minimum. But the CEP, influenced by an extensive survey, is satisfied with the present situation and feels that no new requirement need be established.

Further Study

According to the CEP study, over 35 per cent of the student body goes on to take further language courses after passing the requirement.

However, Stein objects that the present minimum fails to reflect the quality of the departments. "We ought to make it 650 or higher to show our proficiency," he at least 650 on the test, a requirement of 560 gives an inaccurate picture of the standard of College achievement.

Since the College language requirement will remain static for some time, the language departments now feel they can draft new placement tests without fear of further revisions due to changing standards.

Test Changes

"We'll go to work now and change the German test. We'll make new ones or use the College Board's, Stein asserted.

The language departments have been concerned that the tests now used fail to reflect the University's revised methods of language instruction.

But no new test could be ready for several years. Trial tests must be given, analyses made, and the actual test created before a finalized version is ready for use, according to Dean K. Whitla, Director of the Office of Tests.

Rented Exams

Stein however, would prefer to rent a test from the College Entrance Examination Board. Having helped draw up the Board's Advanced Placement test in German, he commented, "I know how hard the tests are to make, and how good the CEEB tests are."

No matter what type of examinations are selected, Stein expressed confidence that they will be no more difficult than those now given.