Ariz. District Drops Ethnic Studies Classes

With millions in state funding on the line, the school board in Tucson, Ariz., voted last week to shutter a popular Mexican-American studies program . But the move is now raising questions about whether the district will be out of compliance with a federal court order to bring racial balance to its schools.

By a vote of 4-1, the board agreed to suspend the district's controversial ethnic-studies program.

Members said canceling the Mexican-American studies courses was necessary to prevent the 60,000-student Tucson Unified School District from losing nearly $15 million in state funding that John Huppenthal, the state schools chief, threatened to withhold. Mr. Huppenthal said the courses violate a new state law that prohibits public schools from offering courses that are designed for a particular ethnic group, advocate ethnic solidarity, or promote resentment toward a race or group of people. ( "Tucson Students Aren't Deterred by Ethnic-Studies Controversy," ...