Middle East studies in the News

New Building, Same Old Controversy for Brooklyn Arabic School [on Khalil Gibran International Academy; incl. Dhabah "Debbie" Almontaser]
DOE Disputes Charges by Group Trying To Bring Back Ex-Principal

by Mary Frost
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
September 3, 2008

http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=27&id=22897

http://www.campus-watch.org/article/id/5591

FORT GREENE — To say that the Arabic-themed Khalil Gibran International Academy (KGIA), a dual-language grade 6-12 public school in Brooklyn, had a bumpy first school year would be a massive understatement.

Founded with the aim of providing the city's children with a foundation in Arabic language and culture, the little school and its students soon became a ping pong ball in a game played by forces beyond its control.

Attacks by conservative groups, multiple location changes accompanied by parent protests, the resignation of the founding principal, a continuing lawsuit, discipline problems and charges of inept handling by the city's Department of Education (DOE) are just a few of the highlights of the school's first year.

Now, as KGIA opens for its second year in a new location (on Navy Street near Fort Greene), supporters of founding principal Debbie Almontasser charge — again — that the DOE is shortchanging the school.

[Ed: To read the entire article, follow the link above or click here]

Note: Articles listed under "Middle East studies in the News" provide information on current developments concerning Middle East studies on North American campuses. These reports do not necessarily reflect the views of Campus Watch and do not necessarily correspond to Campus Watch's critique.

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