February 2012 

At its February 5-7 meeting, the AERA Council unanimously passed two resolutions addressing the suspension of Mexican American studies in the Tucson Unified School District No. 1 (TUSD).

The two resolutions, one directed to the Governing Board of the TUSD and the other to the Arizona State Legislature, expressed concern that implementation of Arizona HB2281 has led to elimination of the Mexican American studies program in the Tucson schools. AERA Council urged the Governing Board to design and reintroduce such courses and urged the State Legislature to repeal HB2281.

On February 22, AERA sent letters to all members of the State Legislature notifying them about the AERA Council action, accompanied by both resolutions. The school board (called the Governing Board in District 1) also received notification and both resolutions. In addition, letters were sent to the State Superintendent and the Tucson District 1 Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent.

On February 23, AERA issued a news release distributed widely to journalists across the United States.