Texas School District Backs Away from Arabic Studies Program

From http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/02/08/2834067/mansfield-school-district-backs.html

Mansfield school district backs away from Arabic program
By Amanda Rogers
February 8, 2011

The Mansfield school district has backed off plans for an Arabic studies program after almost 200 parents showed up with questions at a meeting at Cross Timbers Intermediate School on Monday night.

"Nothing will be taught in the classroom until the curriculum is rolled out," district spokesman Richie Escovedo said.

The Arabic studies program, funded by a five-year, $1.3 million Foreign Language Assistance Program federal grant, was to begin this semester at Cross Timbers, then spread to Davis Elementary and Howard Middle schools in the fall and to Summit High School by fall 2012.

Arabic culture was to be integrated into the curriculum in elementary and intermediate schools, then offered as a language credit in middle and high schools. Davis, Cross Timbers and Howard are feeder schools to Summit.

Parents at Monday's meeting ranged from supportive to upset, said Willie Wimbrey, assistant principal at Cross Timbers.

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