Racial Lens Used to Cull Curriculum in Arizona (NYT)

New York Times ^ | March 19, 2012 | MICHAEL WINERIP

[reaganaut1]

...

In 2010, after several attempts, the Republican-controlled Legislature and the Republican governor passed a law prohibiting classes that advocate overthrowing the government, are designed for students of one ethnic group or advocate ethnic solidarity instead of treating pupils as individuals. The state wanted Tucson’s Mexican-American studies program disbanded.

When Tucson officials resisted, the attorney general’s office issued subpoenas. Investigators obtained textbooks, PowerPoint presentations, teachers’ college theses, exam prompts, poems and lyrics from hip-hop songs.

Class lessons were singled out over apparent political bias, among them “From Cortes to Bush: 500 Years of Internalized Oppression.” Seven texts were ordered removed from all classrooms, including “Chicano! The History of the Mexican-American Civil Rights Movement” by F. Arturo Rosales and “Pedagogy of the Oppressed” by Paulo Freire.

“Mexican WhiteBoy” fell into a category of books that could no longer be taught but could be used by students for leisure reading. To get an independent assessment of the program, the state hired a consultant, for $110,000, to conduct an audit.

The audit found that while some aspects of the program needed changing, it was doing a good job. It noted that students who took Mexican-American studies were more likely to attend college, and that the program helped close the achievement gap. The state ignored the audit, calling it flawed.

John Huppenthal, the new state superintendent, told a reporter that he was fighting a war. “When we encountered this situation, we did what Hannibal did to the Romans,” he said. “This is the eternal battle, the eternal battle of all time, the forces of collectivism against the forces of individuality.”

In January, facing a $15 million penalty from the state for failure to comply, the Tucson resistors threw down their arms.

[reaganaut1]

"Legislators stop funding of racial resentment" is how I would title the article.

[BenLurkin]

The Americans want colleges to stop being breeding grounds for treason...........but the NYT sees racism!

[I cannot think of a name]

America was built on assimilation - the so called “melting-pot.”

Huge empires and millionaires have been created by preaching that people should remain separate. The Latino activists have taken a page from the black activist. The biggest threat to their economic well-being would be a color blind society. Even though that is what most of these organizations claim to be promoting.

Total BS.

[Hodar]

It noted that students who took Mexican-American studies were more likely to attend college, and that the program helped close the achievement gap. The state ignored the audit, calling it flawed.

This was an opportuntity to show progress, or an opportunity to suppress a non-policitcally correct fact. Were studends who took this class pursuing a degree in Engineer, Law, Medical or other hard science (as in - they can get a job with this degree), or were students pursuing a degree in a field without a potential for a career (such as Wymen's Studies, or Mexican-American Studies)?

Going to college and taking on debt is not always a wise thing. A 4-yr degree with an accompanying debt of $100,000 in Music Appreciation, Theater, Modern Art is probably a waste of time, energy and money.

[Whats-wrong-with-the-truth]

As a native of Tucson and product of the racially bias Tucson Unified School District I can say that since my graduation from High School in the mid-70's things have only gotten worse. This is why my wife and I home-schooled all four of our children and why I am a strong advocate for the abolition of the department of education and public schooling as a whole. The idea that every child should be educated is a good one. The problem is they are no longer being educated. They're being indoctrinated.

In my opinion, if you love your children you will find a way to either educate them yourself of hire someone that will support you and your values instead of the other way around.
I realize this view is not a popular one amongst many of those that wish to be single parents and/or keep the few cents a second income brings into the home but know this... again, my opinion... you are selling your children down the river if you continue to let the department of education and communist school-boards have access to your offspring.

[skeeter]

John Huppenthal, the new state superintendent, told a reporter that he was fighting a war. “When we encountered this situation, we did what Hannibal did to the Romans,” he said. “This is the eternal battle, the eternal battle of all time, the forces of collectivism against the forces of individuality.”

I cant figure out what 'collectivism' this guy is talking about - is he referring to the self-segregation of bitter minorities encouraged by leftwing statist demogogues?

[Pecos]

It’s not a waste of money if you can get Uncle Sam to pay off the loan when you start teaching “Hispanic Studies”... and don’t think we didn’t catch that racist reference to “Mexican-American Studies”. ;-)

[TXnMA]

Rational Lens Used to Cull Racist Curriculum in Arizona

Fixed the NYSlimes' uber-biased title...

[Travis McGee]

In 25 years, the SW will not be part of the USA as presently constituted.

Demography is destiny.