Closing arguments are due today in the appeal by Tucson Unified school district in the finding by Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction that the classes violate state law. Administrative Hearing Judge Lewis Kowal has thirty days to render a finding in the case.
The appeal was held in Phoenix over four days.
The state’s Department of Education evaluated over 7000 pieces of evidence in reaching its conclusion that the district’s Mexican American/Raza Studies classes violated 3 of the four provisions.
Arizona’s law ARS 15-112 prohibits classes that are designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group, promote resentment towards a race or class of people, and advocate ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of pupils as individuals, and promote the overthrow of the government.