So Michigan is denying a high school diploma to anyone who is unable to learn a foreign language? Sounds like a great way to increase the dropout rate and doom hundreds of thousands to a life of poverty. This looks like someone in academia for far too long has decided that it would be really neat if everyone was able to speak multiple languages and if they don't, well, they can go live in an alleyway and beg for passersby for change. The consequences of lowering the graduation rate, especially amongst the already disadvantaged, cannot be emphasized enough. This is absolutely deplorable.

Since you make no argument why learning a foreign language is different from anything else, your entire post becomes quite meaningless since it could be applied to literally anything. Math certainly lowers the graduation rate. English literature too. History. Biology. etc.

If you want to make a sensible argument, please argue why learning a foreign language is different from learning math, history or whatever else.

Where I grew up it wasn't required for a HS diploma, but necessary for college admission--or something like that.

Under their criteria, ASL (American Sign Language) qualified as a foreign language. The reasoning being that a distinct culture was taught along with the language and Deaf culture qualified. I've never needed it, and could converse using it, but it has stuck with me. Unfortunately, my school dropped it and I ended up taking two years of Spanish that didn't have anywhere near as much impact. Even more than the Pascal/C++ class even though one is a language I've used professionally.

ASL is a foreign language under ANY criteria I'd say. Well unless it's your native language.

Sign languages are not like writing systems, they are distinct languages with their own grammar etc, it's very cool!

ASL was so fun to learn! I’ll eventually forget the signs but I hope I remember the letters! The main learning aspect was the culture! A lot of interesting things to learn and talk about!

Two credits is not a high bar.