They Tried to Bury Us, They Didn’t Know We Were Seeds: The Fight for Mexican American Studies in Arizona

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

Tucson Unified School District teachers and students directly impacted by the dismantling of Mexican American Studies filed suit on October 18, 2010 and prevailed victoriously against the Arizona Department of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction on August 22, 2017. This session elaborates on a precedent-setting case in Acosta et al. v. Huppenthal, et al. In the wake of Judge Tashima’s strident ruling, this case begs us as practitioners, policy makers, and communities to consider an elevated role for Ethnic Studies in the K-12 curriculum than has heretofore existed. This session brings to light our constitutional rights and responsibilities, together with the power of community and legal advocacy in advancing the educational cause for Ethic Studies.

Sub Unit

• AERA Presidential Session

Chair

• Lorenzo Lopez, Tucson Unified School District

Participants

• Luna Barrington, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

• Angela Valenzuela, The University of Texas - Austin

• Alexei Marquez, The University of Arizona

• Nolan L. Cabrera, The University of Arizona

• Rene Martinez, Isaac School District

• Erica Avila, Isaac School District