I found this article on CNN.com about a school district southeast of Fort Worth Texas.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/02/10/navarrette.arabic.curriculum/
Mansfield Independent School District had made plans to implement an Arabic language studies program. The program was supposed to be integrated into elementary and intermediate schools, but not as a separate course. It was also supposed to be offered as an elective to middle school and high school students. The Arabic language studies program was funded by a federal five-year $1.3 million grant awarded the district by the Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP) of the Department of Education. The grant was sought after by the school system because the federal government lists Arabic as a critical language since there is a shortage of and a demand for people who are proficient in it.
Now because of the commotion cause by the parents of these students, the grant money will probably have to be returned, and the program canceled.
The parents were upset because they weren't notified ahead of time. Also, inaccurately, they believed the school district was going to contribute to the funding. In addition, they were unhappy about not being involved in the decision to start the program in the first place.
The article goes on to argue that the parents are being driven by fear, ignorance, and prejudice.
I think the article is worth reading because it is a touchy subject for Americans. In my opinion, Americans learning the language of the biggest group of people who threaten our future as a peaceful nation wouldn't be a bad idea. Other countries all over the world learn English, and it's not because they love us.
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