Judge Rules Arizona Ethnic Studies Program Violates Law

Tucson Administrative Judge Lewis D. Kowal ruled today that Tucson Unified School District’s Mexican American studies program broke state law. The Los Angeles Times reported:

The Tucson school district’s Mexican American studies program violates state law, an Arizona administrative law judge ruled Tuesday, paving the way for the possible demise of the program.

The judge affirmed a prior decision by the state’s schools chief that the Tucson Unified School District’s program violates a law that aims to outlaw divisive ethnic studies classes.

The Tucson Sentinel reported:

The 37-page ruling by Lewis D. Kowal shot down an appeal by the Tucson Unified School District, affirming a June decision by state schools chief John Huppenthal that the district’s MAS courses violate state law…

Huppenthal will have 30 days to accept, reject or modify the ruling. Likewise, TUSD will have to decide whether to “appeal or abide by” the ruling, Pedicone said.