Saturday, January 8, 2011

Arizona Orders Tucson to End Mexican-American Studies Program - NYTimes.com

Arizona Orders Tucson to End Mexican-American Studies Program - NYTimes.com

Rift in Arizona as Latino Class Is Found Illegal

Jill Torrance for The New York Times

Travis Turner and Anissa Soto in their Latino literature class at Tucson High Magnet School.

TUCSON — The class began with a Mayan-inspired chant and a vigorous round of coordinated hand clapping. The classroom walls featured protest signs, including one that said “United Together in La Lucha!” — the struggle. Although open to any student at Tucson High Magnet School, nearly all of those attending Curtis Acosta’s Latino literature class on a recent morning were Mexican-American.

Jill Torrance for The New York Times

Curtis Acosta spoke to his students about their future after Arizona said their Mexican-American studies program was illegal.

For all of that and more, Mr. Acosta’s class and others in the Tucson Unified School District’s Mexican-American program have been declared illegal by the State of Arizona — even while similar programs for black, Asian and American Indian students have been left untouched.

Journal Showcases Dying Art of the Research Paper

William H. Fitzgerald and his Concord Review showcase high school students who dig deeply and write at length.