In response to the bill signed by Governor of Arizona on May 11, 2010 banning ethnic studies in the public schools of Arizona, NAME has issued a press release expressing the organization’s outrage that the bill passed. NAME believes the bill flies in the face of research on textbooks and multicultural curricula, research on U.S. history, and the track record of Tucson’s Mexican American/Raza Studies department to successfully educate Mexican American students.
The bill presumes that the standard curriculum is not biased and represents no ethnic point of view. However, those who study race/ethnicity point out that white people are also ethnic, making that presumption incorrect. . . . By attacking the work of the Mexican American/Raza Studies department in Tucson, the bill ignores the fact that its work has been substantially improving the academic achievement and graduation rates of Chicano/a students. . . . For these reasons, we condemn this new law. Further, because of the strong integrity of the work of the Mexican American/Raza Studies department in Tucson, and its proven track record successfully education Chicano/a students, we will be featuring its former director, Dr. Augustine Romero, as a keynote speaker at our Annual Conference, which will be held November 4-6, 2010 in Las Vegas.
Members of NAME and supporters of ethnic studies programs are encouraged to download the complete press release for their continuing advocacy and educational efforts.
Click to download the complete NAME Press release on Arizona’s policy against ethnic studies.
For additional information contact Rose Duhon-Sells: roseduhonsells@suddenlink.net
Phone: 504.286.1760/504.288.3118
Besides Arizona’s new policy, what about the Texas Board of Ed? Quite disturbing what they are trying to do as well – to remove references of the Civil Rights Movement, to change the reason for the Civil War to one based on “states rights,” etc. Scary! Is there any movement to have publishers base textbooks on another standard set by other states or the Fed. Dept. of Ed?
In a January 3rd article about AZ’s law banning the teaching of ethnic studies and social justice curricula, the author references NAME’s position policy passed last year.
To read the entire article and readers’ comments visit: http://chronicle.com/blogs/brainstorm/teaching-ignorance-in-az/30610
I read the press release and I must say I’m pretty surprised. I thought I was living in a world where multicultural education is a normal thing but obviously we still have a lot to do.
Is this still happening in US? Cannot believe this. This kind of behavior must be stopped!
I support ethnic studies! Keep up the good work NAME and all the volunteers.