Middle East studies in the News

Religion in Public Charter Schools in the News [incl. Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy]

by Mark Lerner
The Washington Examiner
August 5, 2009

http://www.examiner.com/x-2763-DC-Charter-Schools-Examiner~y2009m8d5-Religion-in-public-charter-schools-in-the-news

http://www.campus-watch.org/article/id/7943

First we go to Minnesota where a federal judge has agreed that a law suite brought by the ACLU against the Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy charging that the school is violating the U.S. Constitution's Establishment Clause can proceed. According to an article by Maricella Miranda
in the Pioneer Press, the ACLU accuses the charter of "sharing space with the Muslim American Society of Minnesota, promoting prayer in school, and endorsing Muslim clothing rules and dietary practices." Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy teaches 430 students in grades kindergarten through eight on two campuses and received about $3.8 million in public money last year.

Next we return to Florida where the Ben Gamla Hebrew Charter School is planning to expand to two additional campuses since the original site is full with 600 children. The charter is opening in Plantation and Miami-Dade after starting two years ago in Hollywood. An article appearing today by the Associated Press says critics are saying that Ben Gamla is simply public financing of a private Hebrew education.

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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