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LETTER: Lack of representation in dual-language report

Posted on April 19, 2012April 18, 2012 by Staff


Last month Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools released a report recommending the “phasing out” of the school district’s highly regarded Mandarin dual-language program. As a parent with 10 years invested in the program, I was shocked, offended and disappointed by the way the district crafted the report. Please note that not a single Chinese American, Chinese national or Chinese speaker (or Asian, for that matter) was part of the 11-member “administrative team” responsible for the report recommending the elimination of the Chinese dual-language program. I can’t imagine making significant recommendations about an issue that directly impacts the education of any other minority group in the district and not including that particular group in the conversation prior to releasing the “final” report. As a consequence, the report is riddled with careless cultural stereotypes and assumptions about the families in the Chinese program. I am embarrassed and disappointed in the school district and those on the committee who did not raise their voice in protest. I feel strongly that this flawed process sets a bad precedent for our school district and for our students. How is it that not one of the members on the 11-member administrative team did not look around and blow the whistle? It is shameful. For a district that prides itself on multicultural awareness and equity in education, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools gets an “F” on their March 26 report.


Janet Walters Buedel 

Chapel Hill

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