Mexican-American Studies Curriculum Is Banned Due To Arizona Law: Judge Rules Law Is Constitutional

On Friday, a court ruled that an Arizona law prohibiting controversial Mexican-American Studies curriculum in Tucson is constitutional. The original law came in 2010 created by Arizona conservatives who decided to terminate the unconventional courses. Although there have been a number of supporters, rallying to overturn the decision and restore the suspended classes.

"I was really surprised at the decision," Jose Gonzalez, a former teacher of Tucson's suspended Mexican-American Studies classes, told The Huffington Post. "But as a student and teacher of history, I know in civil rights cases like this there's always setbacks."

The alternative curriculum was offered to students in some of the local elementary, middle and high schools. The main focus of the courses was Mexican-American literature and perspectives. The supporters of the program staked their claim on the Curriculum Audit for the Tucson Unified School District in 2011, which found outcome measures that indicated "student achievement has occurred and is closing the achievement gap." Also the audit recommended "expanding the program in the future" and maintaining Mexican-American Studies as part of the core curriculum at the high school level.

The Arizona legislature passed HB 2281to eliminate Tucson's Mexican-American Studies program. This law bans courses that promote the overthrow of the U.S. government, foster racial resentment, are designed for students of a particular ethnic group or that advocate ethnic solidarity.

When the case was brought to a judge by former Mexican-American Studies student Nicholas Dominguez and his mother Margarita Dominguez, Federal Judge Wallace Tashima said the plaintiffs failed to show the law was too vague, broad or discriminatory, or that it violated students' first amendment rights.

They will likely appeal the ruling to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals within the next 30 days, their lawyer Richard Martinez stated.

"This case is not over," Martinez said. "It's not only important to Arizona, but to the country as a whole that this statute be addressed."