State Tejano Democrats Resolution Demanding MAS in TX! April 8 is our date with History.
by Tony D on 02/09/14
State Tejano Democrats, which is a state-wide organization with member chapters throughout Texas, assert this Resolution in Support of Mexican American Studies & Courses in Texas
Whereas, Latinos are the fastest growing demographic in Texas to such a degree that in such places as Houston, Texas, Latinos are over 40% of the population, but moreover every 1 in 4 inhabitants of Houston is either Mexican or Mexican American; and in Dallas County Latinos are 38.9% of the population; and
Whereas, Latinos comprise the majority population of many major school districts to such an extent that the Houston Independent School District, which consists of over 200,000 and over 50% or 100,000 are Latino, and in other school districts such as Dallas Independent School District Hispanics comprise nearly 70% of the 157,000 student population;
Whereas, Hispanics constitute over 50% of the 4.9 million students in Texas public schools; and
Whereas, Latinos continue to be underserved in the areas of family engagement; and there are not enough culturally relevant courses for Latinos; and these factors result in Latino youth forming a large part of the dropout rate; and
Whereas, the Mexican American Studies program at Tucson Unified School District resulted in a 93% graduation rate; and according to current policies and laws, Mexican American History and Mexican American Literature among other Mexican American Studies (MAS) courses ARE eligible for SBOE endorsement; and
Whereas, under Texas HB5, school districts beginning in October of 2015 will be given letter grades based on such things as graduation rates and also family engagement, areas where the needs of Latino youth are not fully understood or catered to; and
Whereas, the UT Young Conservatives “Catch an Illegal Immigrant” game was proof that Texas needs Mexican American Studies. That was a great example of how a life can be changed by taking a Mexican American Studies course or two to help all students learn how to thrive in a multicultural world; and
Whereas, implementing culturally and historically relevant texts is already written into Texas standards via the TEKS-Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills,
Whereas, Mexican American Studies has been and should continue to be established as a field of study in Texas. Implementing culturally and historically relevant texts is already written into Texas standards via the TEKS-Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.
Therefore be it resolved, the State Tejano Democrats urge the Texas State Board of Education to add Mexican American Studies to courses that fulfill dual credit for the English IV option, Special Topics in Social Studies, and Independent Study in English. This includes Mexican American Studies as an Advanced Course. Also, we demand that MAS courses that meet the criteria be added to the Arts and Humanities endorsement. (This does not have to be dual credit.)
We demand that History be added to the Arts and Humanities endorsement. Mexican American History must be listed for the History component.
Mexican American Studies should be explicitly listed as a Cultural and Linguistic Topic which falls under Language Other Than English.
Approved this the 14th day of December 2013 in an active meeting of the State Executive Committee of State Tejano Democrats in Austin, Texas.
Copies of this resolution shall be sent to the State Board of Education Members and to the Commissioner of the Texas Education Agency.
This Resolution will take effect immediately.
Othon Medina, Jr., Chairman, State Tejano Democrats
The Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) must make a vote on M.A.S. an action item for their next meeting April 8 - 10 in Austin, Texas.
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