More Race-Based Problems in the Tucson Schools

Opponents of Obama are racists.  Critics of ANY liberal policies are racists.  In truth, liberals are racists.  Anytime you point out some one’s race, skin color, gender, “sexual orientation”,  or any other descriptive, you put them in a box with a label on it.  “He’s a black____,  she’s a Latino _____”.  The minute that statement leaves your lips, you no longer “judge them by the content of their character”.  You judge them by different, variable standard.

Today, I am going to criticize the Tucson Unified School District’s Ethnic Studies Program, therefore many will consider me a xenophobe.  So I am ready for Jimmy Carter and his disciples to start calling me a bigoted dissident.  Fine.

A little history first…

This fire storm started earlier this week with TUSD’s race-based program where different disciplinary standards are applied to students depending on their ethnicity.  This is not the first time that TUSD has had race problems in the district.  Superintendent Tom Horne has previously bombarded the racist TUSD school board for their “ethnic studies” programs.

State education chief wants it abolished;  board member dismisses ‘campaign stunt’

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne will hold a press conference today to say why he thinks Tucson’s largest school district should “abolish its Ethnic Studies Department.”

Tucson Unified School District officials say the press conference will be nothing more than a rehash of Horne’s personal politics. And they’ve called their own press conference for a half-hour earlier than Horne’s to say so.

“Tom Horne is using his office as the state superintendent of public instruction, using taxpayer dollars, to promote his own political agenda,” TUSD Governing Board member Adelita Grijalva (Raul Grijalva’s daughter) said. “I see it as nothing more than a campaign stunt.”

Horne has denied any political ambition behind his inquiries into the Ethnic Studies Department but earlier said he plans to run for office, though he hasn’t specified which, when his term as superintendent expires in 2010.

He dismissed TUSD officials and said their comments were typical of proponents of identity politics who try to intimidate critics by questioning their motives instead of acknowledging the merits of their argument.

“Attacking my motives will not intimidate me,” Horne said.

He would not reveal what new information, if any, he would disclose this morning.

This isn’t the first time Horne has raised questions about the Ethnic Studies Department. In November, he filed a public-records request with the district, asking for information on funding, training and curriculum. One month later, Horne quietly concluded his inquiry and conceded that he had no power to change what is taught in Tucson schools.

Horne’s November inquiry was admittedly not a question of academics or education, but of “values.” He said then that he was concerned about what he called “ethnic chauvinism,” which he described as “teaching people to make their primary personal identity the ethnic group they were born into, rather than identifying as an individual in terms of character and ability.”

Think that Tom Horne has got it all wrong?.  From the TUSD website, they list their goals;

Students will attain an understanding and appreciation of historic and contemporary Mexican American contributions.  students will be prepared for dynamic, confident leadership in the 21st Century.

The Department is firmly committed to the following with an academic focus:

Advocating for and providing culturally relevant curriculum for grades K-12.

Advocating for and providing curriculum that is centered within the pursuit of social justice.

Advocating for and providing curriculum that is centered within the Mexican American/Chicano cultural and historical experience.

Working towards the invoking of a critical consciousness within each and every student.

Providing and promoting teacher education that is centered within Critical Pedagogy, Latino Critical Pedagogy, and Authentic Caring.

Promoting and advocating for social and educational transformation.

Promoting and advocating for the demonstration of respect, understanding, appreciation, inclusion, and love at every level of service.

So I’m just an old white honky cracker who concerns himself with results more than intentions.  (Must be because I actually run a business).  The Sonoran Alliance shines the light of day as to what is coming out of the Arizona School systems.  The results are horrifying.

“A Survey of Civic Knowledge Among Arizona High School Students,” conducted by Dr. Matthew Ladner, Vice President for Research at the Goldwater Institute, found that out of 1,140 students surveyed, only 40 or 3.5%  of Arizona high school students have learned the basic history, government and geography necessary to pass the U.S. Citizenship test.

Here are the survey questions, the correct answers, and in parentheses the percentage of government-school students providing the correct answer.

1. What is the supreme law of the land? 70.5% missed the correct answer, the Constitution.

2. What do we call the first 10 amendments to the Constitution? 75% didn’t know its the Bill of Rights.

3. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? 77% of the new voters in 2010 and 2012 failed to know the House and Senate.

4. How many Justices are on the Supreme Court? 90.6% didn’t know the right answer is 9.  (Maybe Sandra Day O’Connor should focus on this and not changing Arizona in the back room).

5. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? Only 25.3% knew it was Thomas Jefferson.  (But I’ll wager the majority of them know who Rosa Parks was or how to put a condom on a banana).

6. What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States? This one blows the mind!  Over 41% couldn’t answer this simple question!!  (What are they doing with those education dollars anyway????

7. What are the two major political parties in the United States? Nearly as many Arizona high school students missed this question as voters who bought “CHANGE” in the last election.  50.4% failed to know the two major U.S. political parties.  (But I’ll bet they know what are the two top “party schools” in the U.S.).

8. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years? Only 14.5% knew the correct answer.  (Maybe that’s why U.S. Senators are elected for life)?

9. Who was the first President of the United States? A whopping 73.5% missed this question.  (What *are* they teaching in U.S. History these days anyway)?

10. Who is in charge of the Executive Branch?  This explains why Obama can appoint all the Czars he wants and why Federal agencies seem often above the law.  74% missed this question!

These results are out of a survey population of 1,140 Arizona High School Students! Remember this the next time Arizona teachers are in the national news at the poolside bar!

So there you have it.  According to The TUSD school board, your ethnicity is more important than your understanding of our Constitution.  Putting a hyphenated adjective on our children has  greater value than teaching them what makes America great. Right, and I’m the zealot.

Tags: racism. race based, raza, Tucson, tucson schools, TUSD