Dozens of parents in a Texas School District are outraged over a campaign to make classes in Arabic language and culture mandatory for students. The district has stressed that the curriculum will not be about religion. Instead, it would teach students only about language and culture, much in the same way that Spanish classes are already being taught.
The school received a federal grant last summer to teach Arabic, but many parents say they should have been told about the grants months ago. The school's Superintendent has since apologized for the lack of communication, and is backing off a plan that aimed to fully integrate the new curriculum by Fall 2012. Some parents expressed fear over having their children exposed to anything that has to do with Islam, while others want their children to learn as much as possible.