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HAND DELIVERED
Dr. John Pedicone, Superintendent
Tucson Unified School District
1010 E 10th St.
Tucson, AZ 85719
February 3, 2012
Re: Letter in support of MAS Director Mr. Sean Arce
Superintendent Pedicone,
We are reaching out to you today on behalf of the community in support of Mr. Sean Arce, director of the Mexican American Studies program in TUSD.
The community demands that MAS co-founder and director Sean Arce keep his job.
The Mexican American Studies program in the Tucson Unified School District under Mr. Arce’s leadership is the only program in TUSD that has been proven to close the achievement gap for Latino students, and per the districts own data has shown an increase in standardized test scores and improved graduation rates.
At sixty percent Latino enrollment TUSD has a dismal record with respect to Latino student equity and achievement, as demonstrated by the long-standing desegregation order imposed upon the District. We need Latino role models for our children and Mr. Arce is one of those much needed role models. He is a scholar respected in his field and someone who has demonstrated time and time again his commitment to the well being and academic advancement of our children. It is a shame that Mr. Arce has had to endure harassment from the District and his superiors.
While TUSD administration and the Arizona State Legislature are politicizing our children’s education, our only desire is to see them graduate, thrive, and contribute to our community. We need to ensure that our children receive equitable educational opportunities in Tucson and throughout Arizona, and it is critical and proven effective that they see themselves in their high-school curriculum and in those that they admire.
Mr. Arce’s decision to join the ten educators that have brought a lawsuit against the State of Arizona in Federal District Court should in no way result in retaliation against him or the other teachers. We are proud that Mr. Arce brought his concerns to the Department of Education at the White House Summit this week, and his comments simply echoed those of the community when he did so. He is defending our children and we will defend him. If TUSD continues on this path of not serving our Latino and minority students it brings into serious question the legitimacy of TUSD receiving any further desegregation funds.
Sincerely,
Las Adelitas Arizona