Arizona official says ethnic studies violates law

From the El Paso Times - by AMANDA LEE MYERS,Associated Press - PHOENIX (AP) - The Arizona state schools chief said Wednesday that an ethnic studies program in Tucson is violating a new state law by advocating ethnic solidarity among Latinos and promoting resentment toward white people. Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal's decision gives the Tucson Unified School District two months to comply with the law or face losing 10 percent of its annual state funding - or about $15 million. "This is not rocket science. This is fundamental," Huppenthal said at a news conference at his Phoenix office. "They have gotten themselves in a very tight corner. The ball is back in their court." Huppenthal ordered a review of the program when he took office in January after his predecessor, Tom Horne, said that the Mexican-American Studies program violated state law and that Huppenthal would have to decide whether to withhold funding. Supporters of the program have criticized challenges as an attack against Arizona's Hispanic population. Read more

Arizona official says ethnic studies violates law