Learning a foreign language is an immensely useful academic achievement that can be important to success in adult life. Studies show that learning another language can improve reading skills and test scores in other subjects. Learning other ways to communicate early in life helps students prepare for course requirements in college. There is also a growing need in the economy for workers who can speak multiple languages. Given its practical importance, it’s surprising and disturbing that foreign language learning isn’t given higher priority in state and federal educational objectives.