http://wjz.com/local/local_story_098120903.html

clock Apr 8, 2006 11:42 am US/Eastern

Immigrant Students Encouraged To Attend Rally
School Decision to credit attendance at protest sparks concern


(AP) ROCKVILLE, Md. A decision to give students community service credit for attending a protest on immigration rights is causing concern in Montgomery County.

Some parents and activists are saying school officials should focus on education, not political advocacy.

Montgomery is the only Washington-area school system offering students credit for taking part in Monday's event on the National Mall.

Schools spokesman Brian Edwards says there's nothing new about the decision. He says advocacy is allowed.

But because immigration policy has been such a hot topic lately, the school system has been getting a lot of criticism about the decision.

Edwards says students will receive service learning hours for participating in the rally as long as they do so under the supervision of a community group that has been approved by the school system.

(AP/Post)