9th Circuit Court Hears Case On Arizona’s Ethnic Studies Ban

*Here’s the score: in 2010 the State of Arizona banned ethnic studies. In 2013 a Federal Court struck down one provision of that law. Tuscon ISD schools continue to offer Mexican-American studies courses. This case is a challenge to that ruling. VL

By Kate Sheehy, Fronteras

On Monday, Arizona’s 2010 ban on ethnic studies went before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The federal court is considering the constitutionality of the entire law, as well as one of its provisions that was struck down by a federal judge in 2013.

The state’s attorney, Leslie Kyman Cooper, argued that the A3 provision of the law, found to be unconstitutional in 2013, should be reinstated. It prohibits courses that “are designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group.”

“The state is concerned that all of its students should receive the same foundational education, should be taught as individuals, should not be divided on the basis of groups, such as class or race,” Cooper said.

The judges expressed confusion over her explanation that a course cannot be intended for a specific ethnic group, but it can include the history about an ethnic group.

Click HERE to read the full story.