Mandatory Arabic Classes Coming to Schools

[Dusty]

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/02/07/m...-to-mansfield/


"Language of the Future"?!

MANSFIELD (CBSDFW.COM) – Some Students at Mansfield ISD schools could soon be learning Arabic as a required language. The school district wants students at select schools to take Arabic language and culture classes as part of a federally funded grant.

The Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP) grant was awarded to Mansfield ISD last summer by the U.S. Department of Education.

As part of the five-year $1.3 Million grant, Arabic classes would be mandatory at Cross Timbers Intermediate School and Kenneth Davis Elementary School. The program would also be optional for students at T. A. Howard Middle School and Summit High School.

Parents at Cross Timbers say they were caught off-guard by the program, and were surprised the district only told them about it in a meeting Monday night between parents and Mansfield ISD Superintendent Bob Morrison.

The DOE has identified Arabic as a ‘language of the future.’ But parent Joseph Balson was frustrated by the past. “Why are we just now finding out about it?” asked Balson. “It’s them (Mansfield ISD) applying for the grant, getting it approved and them now saying they’ll go back and change it only when they were caught trying to implement this plan without parents knowing about it.”

Trisha Savage thinks it will offer a well-rounded education. “I think its a great opportunity that will open doors. We need to think globally and act locally.”


Mansfield ISD says in addition to language, the grant provides culture, government, art, traditions and history as part of the curriculum.

Some parents had concerns over religion. “The school doesn’t teach Christianity, so I don’t want them teaching Islam,” said parent Baron Kane. During Monday’s meeting Morrison stressed the curriculum would not be about religion, but about Arabic language and culture, similar to Spanish curriculum already in place in the district.

Kheirieh Hannun, was born in the Middle East but raised in the U.S. She believes giving students the option to learn Arabic will give her son and others like him the option to learn more about their culture. “It was surprising, but I think it’s okay, and it will help come down on the stereotype.” Hannun says she is hopeful the class could broaden the minds of not only students, but also parents.

The FLAP grant was awarded to only five school districts across the country, including Mansfield.

[Pete]

I notice a couple of things

First it's a grant. In other words the school district does not have the money to do it so they got a "grant".

While it is good to learn a different language - culture? What Arab culture are they going to teach? Can you teach about Arab culture without talking about religion? Wonder if they have a Jesus Free Christmas, Oh, excuse me, Holiday Play.

I did take French in High School and I can't remember anything about religion - but that was back in the day of bell bottoms and eight tracks.

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by Pete

I notice a couple of things

First it's a grant. In other words the school district does not have the money to do it so they got a "grant".

While it is good to learn a different language - culture? What Arab culture are they going to teach? Can you teach about Arab culture without talking about religion? Wonder if they have a Jesus Free Christmas, Oh, excuse me, Holiday Play.

I did take French in High School and I can't remember anything about religion - but that was back in the day of bell bottoms and eight tracks.

And nobody said anything about "The Language of the Future". These handwringers need to determine whether they wanna let the Chinese or the Muslims take over the Country.

[Kyobanim]

but that was back in the day of bell bottoms and eight tracks.

You left out platform shoes

[Richard]

Info on the topic.

http://www.mansfieldisd.org/curricul...age/arabic.htm

http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/01...rict-gets.html

The FAQ which outlines their reasoning and the program's limits is here.

http://www.mansfieldisd.org/curricul...StudiesFAQ.pdf

Like magnet schools and other such programs, this one seems like a good opportunity for interested students to me.

And so it goes...

Richard

[greenberetTFS]

Originally Posted by Pete

I notice a couple of things

First it's a grant. In other words the school district does not have the money to do it so they got a "grant".

While it is good to learn a different language - culture? What Arab culture are they going to teach? Can you teach about Arab culture without talking about religion? Wonder if they have a Jesus Free Christmas, Oh, excuse me, Holiday Play.

I did take French in High School and I can't remember anything about religion - but that was back in the day of bell bottoms and eight tracks.

You also left out 78's,45's and LP's............ Or was that before your time?.........

Big Teddy

[Wiseman]

I say that they should only allow instruction in the language for students who actually want to and will actually be dedicated to it. I mean when I took French in high school, I wanted to take it and learn it. However, there were students there that did not care about class so I thought it was a waste of time for them and the teacher to be instructing students who didn't care.

[mojaveman]

If American children are going to be taught about Arab/Islamic culture should they also be taught about it's great failings, like treating women like dogs and demading that infidels convert or be killed?

"We're going to learn a new language today kids, but before we begin with pronunciation please remove one of your socks and stuff it in your mouth."

It's good to know about foreign cultures and languages though.

[Sigaba]

Originally Posted by mojaveman

If American children are going to be taught about Arab/Muslim culture should they also be taught about it's great failings like treating women like dogs and demading that all infidels convert or be killed?

It would be something if such classes were taught from a feminist perspective.

[1stindoor]

It's official...I'm pissed

Hey $hit for brains...how about teaching English, Grammer, Spelling, Math.

How about teaching U.S. history.

How about teaching OUR @%$&$#@@#$#'ing culture...you know the one that says hate to break it to you there mohammid, but your country is ef'ed up and that's why we live here.

And am I the only one that finds it strangely ironic that "DOE" (pronounced like the deer) thinks Arabic is the language of the future?

Trisha Savage thinks it will offer a well-rounded education. “I think its a great opportunity that will open doors. We need to think globally and act locally.”

Trisha Savage is an idiot...think globally?...then teach them to be globally competitive...not docile.

[Richard]

The district curriculum proposal shows 100 minutes of instruction in the general subject area per week - which equates to 20 minutes per day and about 1/19th of the overall weekly instructional time.

All of the common subject areas demanded of the Texas Ed Agency will receive 18/19ths of the instructional time.

Only a small portion of the district's schools will be clustered in this initiative.

Around here, there are many such 'clusters' which allow families/students to tailor their education - some common programs are arts, science and math, foreign languages, technology, health and law, careers, and classical studies.

When a group of schools is aligned for such a purpose around here, parents are given the option to either have their children attend the program or attend another school/program within the district.

And so it goes...

Richard

[lindy]

I heard school uniforms are up next.

[Dusty]

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/02/07/m...-to-mansfield/

[dr. mabuse]

*

[Paslode]

Personally if it were our school district, I would rather see my kids spend more time learning about American History and Culture than a likely sanitized Arabic Studies program sponsored by who knows what.