Published: 06.16.2009

Ethnic Studies ban wins panel OK
Under bill, keeping program would cut TUSD state aid by increasing amounts
By Daniel Scarpinato
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
PHOENIX — A bill that would render the Tucson Unified School District's Ethnic Studies program illegal was approved by a Senate panel Monday, but not before a heated philosophical debate about the role of race in school curriculum.
SB 1069, OK'd on a party-line vote, would ban ethnic-based programs at four high schools in Tucson's largest school district. Continuing the classes could put the district at risk of losing 10 percent of its state funding each month. If the classes were eliminated, the money would be returned.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Jonathan Paton, R-Tucson, is the pet cause of Tom Horne, the state superintendent of public instruction.
Horne has long criticized TUSD's Ethnic Studies program, calling it "ethnic chauvinism."
On Monday, he told the Senate Judiciary Committee the program goes against American ideal of students appreciating each other as individuals rather than based on race.
He pointed to testimony from one former Ethnic Studies teacher who said the program teaches America is a "fundamentally racist country."
"We should be teaching these students that this is the land of opportunity," Horne told the committee. "We should not be teaching them that they are oppressed."
The bill approved in committee Monday — which still needs an OK from both chambers of the Legislature and Gov. Jan Brewer to become law — says schools cannot group or teach students based on their ethnic background.
TUSD's Ethnic Studies program serves about 1,200 students, who take a four-course block of history, social-justice and literature classes.
The program currently offers the classes through three focuses: African-American Studies, Raza — or Chicano — Studies and Native American Studies.
To avoid the risk of losing federal funds, the bill would not affect any American Indian programs.
Sen. Ken Cheuvront, D-Phoenix, said he was disturbed Horne would even bring the bill forward. He said the bill is written so broadly, it could even make teaching Western Civilization illegal.
But Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, called the TUSD program "garbage" that "absolutely should not be tolerated."
"This isn't just about teaching about some background or culture," Pearce said. He said the classes teach "hate speech" and "sedition."
However, Augustine Romero, TUSD director of student equality, said the program is inclusive. He said lawmakers should be applauding it — not condemning it.
"The idea that our program is anti-American or seditious, it's just not true," Romero said.
The committee approval brought 2009 TUSD graduate Mariah Harvey to tears.
"Race is a factor," she said. "No one will listen to us in normal history class."
In testimony to the committee, Harvey told lawmakers even though she is not Hispanic, she chose to take the Mexican-American classes because of Arizona's proximity to Mexico.
She said the classes taught her about oppression — specifically the difference between "oppressors" and the "oppressed." Harvey said while normal history classes touches on racism, this program doesn't "sugarcoat" anything.
"With this, it teaches you the truth about it," she said.
Paton, chair of the committee, voted for the bill. He said the positive of the program is that students are given extra attention. But he sees the curriculum as political.
"You want to train your students to have certain political beliefs?" he said. "Well, do that on your own time."
TUSD has long defended the programs in the face of criticism from Horne and Paton, saying they've resulted in higher test scores for the students who complete them.
The program came into public notice in 2006. After labor activist Dolores Huerta gave a controversial speech at Tucson High Magnet School in which she said, "Republicans hate Latinos," Horne arranged for his deputy superintendent, Margaret Garcia Dugan, to speak to students about being Hispanic and Republican.
Some students from the Raza program staged a walkout during her speech, drawing attention to the program's coursework.
Contact reporter Daniel Scarpinato at 307-4339 or dscarpinato@azstarnet.com.
Published: 06.16.2009

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