Positive News Regarding Tucson MAS

MAS for College Credit I recieved this news earlier today from former MAS teacher  Curtis Acosta with great news about former TUSD MAS  curriculum being offered for college credit.   Curtis Acosta (right) and I LA LUCHA SIGUE Although we have suffered through the pain and indignity of losing  Mexican American Studies in Tucson, today serves as the beginning  of a sea change in this struggle. In response to the Tucson Unified  School District dismantling our MAS classes, I started Chican@  Literature After School Studies (CLASS), which meets at the John  Valenzuela Youth Center in South Tucson and is free for all students  who attend. We meet for at least two hours each Sunday, and  sometimes my students and I lose complete track of time because  of our intense conversations inspired by how this amazing literature  relates to our world and our lives. It is the highlight of my week and  has kept my spirit and love for teaching alive during these dark days.  MAS GOES TO COLLEGE Our dedication and love of learning has been rewarded thanks to the  amazing people at Prescott College in Arizona. In an incredible show  of respect for the quality and rigor of our former MAS classes in TUSD,  Prescott College will be offering college credit to these students for  our Sunday classes. We are humbled and excited for this partnership,  but now we need your help to make this dream become a reality. "While TUSD banned the teaching of Chican@ literature, we recognize  the rigor and importance of the former MAS classes, and therefore  Prescott College will offer students the option to enroll in Curtis  Acosta's Chican@ Literature class for college credit.  We hope this  will not only be an incentive to attend this weekend class but will  also send a strong message that this knowledge is highly valued,"  said Anita Fernández, a Prescott College professor.   Investing in the future of Chican@ Studies  It is incredibly important for CLASS to remain free for this small  group of young scholars. Thus, we have established the Chican@  Literature And Studies Scholarship (CLASS) Fund in order to raise  money for the students to receive college credit for their  participation. Will you invest in these amazing young people  by donating to CLASS today?

A scholarship fund has been set up in the hopes that most  students will be able to earn college credits free of charge.   To make a tax-deductible donation to the Chican@ Literature  and Studies Scholarship (CLASS) fund, please send a check to: Prescott College 220 Grove Ave. Prescott, AZ 86301  Please write in the memo line: CLASS fund In Lak Ech, Curtis Acosta Chican@ Literature Teacher Chican@ Literature After School Studies (Acosta and I at Librotraficante Event)

To learn more about the curriculum of Tucson's famous Mexican-American Studies program, the 93% graduation rate for their students, and the controversy surrounding the now banished classes you can online order the PRECIOUS KNOWLEDGE DVD. If you have any questions about purchasing your DVD, please contact us at:dvd@preciousknowledgefilm.com