Hacienda La Puente Unified's Confucius Classroom curriculum under review 陈凯与前总监克莱默审查孔教材

Hacienda La Puente Unified's Confucius Classroom curriculum under review

陈凯与前总监克莱默审查孔教材

陈凯博客： www.kaichenblog.blogspot.com

By Maritza Velazquez, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/21/2010 06:06:27 PM PDT

INDUSTRY - Instructional materials for a controversial new Chinese language and culture classroom have come under scrutiny after community members said Friday the books include messages that will indoctrinate children with Communist ideals.

Activist Kai Chen and former Hacienda La Puente Unified Superintendent John Kramar reviewed the materials for the district's new Confucius Classroom on Friday.

"That's part of Chinese infiltration into this country and the corruption of the political culture of America," Chen said of the classroom, which will be funded by the Chinese Language Council International, or Hanban.

Hacienda La Puente Unified School District officials have allowed the public to view and provide

Materials for a new Chinese language and culture class have been donated by the Chinese Language Council International and will be implemented by the Hacienda la Puente Unified School District if approved by the board of education. (SGVN/Staff photo by Leo Jarzomb)feedback on books, DVDs and other instructional aids that will be used in the Confucius Classroom elective course at Cedarlane Middle School this fall.

After reviewing the books Friday, Kramar and Chen said they believed the Chinese-sponsored literature did not include a thorough account of the nation's history. They were also concerned about several definitions in a Chinese dictionary they said reflect ideals of Communism.

"Are we willing to sell our souls for $30,000, in order to promote another country's superiority over us?" said Chen, a Los Angeles resident who has participated in anti-Chinese government protests. Chen said he was born in Beijing and moved to the United States in 1981.

Kramar, a Hacienda Heights resident, said he has no issue with students learning Chinese language, but said culture has no place in the classroom.

Hacienda La Puente Unfied Superintendent Barbara Nakaoka said several teachers and community members have already evaluated the materials without any serious concerns.

"We've had several of our own internal people review the books and they didn't see any symbols or signs that they are propaganda for the Communist party," Nakaoka said.

Since the board voted 4-1 in January to approve the Confucius Classroom, it has divided the community, with several residents speaking in opposition at nearly every board meeting.

Cedarlane Middle School already has a Chinese language and culture class in operation at the Hacienda Heights campus and Nakaoka said the current educator would continue teaching in the Confucius Classroom.

According to the agreement between the district and Hanban, the organization will provide $30,000 in funding, including the salary for a teaching assistant.

The Board of Education will now do its own formal review of the curriculum and make a decision to approve it for the Confucius Classroom by July, Nakaoka said.

Nakaoka encourages more community input and review when the curriculum materials will be made available again in June.

"That's why we've been open to having anyone and everyone come in and review these books," she said.

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