Texas Schools Instituting Mandatory Arabic Language and Culture Classes

[FrankRep]

Residents in the Mansfield Independent School District in Texas found out just this Monday evening that the district had decided to force some of their children to take Arabic language and culture classes.​

Texas Schools Instituting Mandatory Arabic Language and Culture Classes


Selwyn Duke | The New American
08 February 2011


It seems that it was a well-kept secret. Residents in the Mansfield Independent School District in Texas found out just this Monday evening that the district had decided to force some of their children to take Arabic language and culture classes.

As for the impetus behind the move, as they say, just follow the money: The program is a condition for receipt of a federal grant. CBSDFW.com provides some detail, writing:

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.​

And FLAP has caused quite a flap — and rightly so. First, many parents are angry about being kept in the dark for so long. For example, CBS quotes a father, Joseph Balson, as saying:

Why are we just now finding out about it? 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.​

...

This story also underlines the need to shrink the federal government. When Uncle Sam collects an exorbitant amount of our tax money, it’s only natural that the states will start competing for how much of it they will get back. And then they will be marionettes, as “He who pays the piper, calls the tune.” So while we don’t want Arabic forced on us, the real problem is that we’ve been speaking Big Brother’s language for far too long.


Full Story:
http://www.thenewamerican.com/index...mandatory-arabic-language-and-culture-classes


Contact Mansfield ISD:

E-mail: [email protected]
Office: 817-299-6302

 

[specsaregood]

That's cool.

 

[Pericles]

This was the "cool" suburb south of Ft. Worth until the economy went bad and over expansion has put the public sector in a bad bind.

 

[dannno]

Well as long as FrankRep isn't teaching the class it will probably help them see through the likes of Sarah Palin types.

 

[Southron]

Don't worry. I'm sure there's somewhere in U.S. history that can be cut to make room for it.

 

[virgil47]

Don't worry. I'm sure there's somewhere in U.S. history that can be cut to make room for it.

I agree with you. It will also prepare them for the coming Shariah law.

 

[Bruno]

That's cool.

How so?

 

[Dr.3D]

One would think Spanish language classes would be more appropriate for children living in Texas.

 

[specsaregood]

How so?

How not?

 

[Bruno]

How not?

For starters:

As for the impetus behind the move, as they say, just follow the money: The program is a condition for receipt of a federal grant. CBSDFW.com provides some detail, writing: The Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP) grant was awarded to Mansfield ISD last summer by the U.S. Department of Education.

and then:

This story also underlines the need to shrink the federal government. When Uncle Sam collects an exorbitant amount of our tax money, it’s only natural that the states will start competing for how much of it they will get back. And then they will be marionettes, as “He who pays the piper, calls the tune.” So while we don’t want Arabic forced on us, the real problem is that we’ve been speaking Big Brother’s language for far too long.

 

[specsaregood]

For starters:
As for the impetus behind the move, as they say, just follow the money: The program is a condition for receipt of a federal grant. CBSDFW.com provides some detail, writing:
The Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP) grant was awarded to Mansfield ISD last summer by the U.S. Department of Education.

So? The feds didn't force the grant on them, the local schools applied for it and accepted it along with the requirements. It was a local decision, wtf should I care? --other than the whole not wanting a DOE at all. If the locals don't like the decision, they can replace the school board and give the money back.

Besides that, I think its kinda cool that those kids will get a chance to learn arabic. It is definitely not common and could prove to be a competitive edge for them in possible future career choices. American spanish-speakers are a dime a dozen, american arabic-speakers not so much.

 

[Peek a Boo]

So? The feds didn't force the grant on them, the local schools applied for it and accepted it along with the requirements. It was a local decision, wtf should I care? --other than the whole not wanting a DOE at all. If the locals don't like the decision, they can replace the school board and give the money back.

Besides that, I think its kinda cool that those kids will get a chance to learn arabic. It is definitely not common and could prove to be a competitive edge for them in possible future career choices. American spanish-speakers are a dime a dozen, american arabic-speakers not so much.

a couple things:

1. I agree-- it was a voluntary thing that they took on, not quite 'mandated'. The Mansfield ISD site is a bit more revealing:
http://www.mansfieldisd.org/departments/communications/news/10-11/february/arabicgrant.htm

2. I doubt they'd be able to just "give back" the money-- they probably spent it already, lol!

3. "future career fields"... yeah, like spies for the gvt..... trained in gvt schools....

 

[BlackTerrel]

Shrug, and that would kind of be my reaction regardless of language. They want it they learn it, they don't they don't.

If this was any language other than Arabic though I feel like a lot more posters would be upset.

 

[heavenlyboy34]

a couple things:

1. I agree-- it was a voluntary thing that they took on, not quite 'mandated'. The Mansfield ISD site is a bit more revealing:
http://www.mansfieldisd.org/departments/communications/news/10-11/february/arabicgrant.htm

2. I doubt they'd be able to just "give back" the money-- they probably spent it already, lol!

3. "future career fields"... yeah, like spies for the gvt..... trained in gvt schools....

Or perhaps translators for free market enterprises.

 

[Dr.3D]

That should help them converse with all of those illegal aliens pouring into Texas.

 

[specsaregood]

//

 

[Madly_Sane]

Don't worry. I'm sure there's somewhere in the government's version of U.S. history that can be cut to make room for it.

 

[virgil47]

So? The feds didn't force the grant on them, the local schools applied for it and accepted it along with the requirements. It was a local decision, wtf should I care? --other than the whole not wanting a DOE at all. If the locals don't like the decision, they can replace the school board and give the money back.

Besides that, I think its kinda cool that those kids will get a chance to learn arabic. It is definitely not common and could prove to be a competitive edge for them in possible future career choices. American spanish-speakers are a dime a dozen, american arabic-speakers not so much.

It indeed would be cool if these kids were getting a "chance" to learn Arabic. However it is not cool that it is a "mandatory" requirement to learn Arabic.

 

[specsaregood]

It indeed would be cool if these kids were getting a "chance" to learn Arabic. However it is not cool that it is a "mandatory" requirement to learn Arabic.

It was a decision made by their local school board. If the locals don't like it, they can elect a different board, pay back the grant and change their minds.
I don't see the problem.

 

[Peek a Boo]

Or perhaps translators for free market enterprises.

if the grant was coming from a free market enterprise, that's exactly the reason I would have listed.

but alas, the grant is from the gvt, and must be implemented according to gvt specs..... so I'm going for the most dramatic gvt conclusion, lol.

besides, my li'l bro is currently in Afghanistan as a Marine Corps HUMINT [counter intel] officer who took Arabic earlier on in his career... just for the spy gig...