AUSTIN, Texas -- A statewide Mexican-American studies course is on its way to reaching all Texas high schools, but not without a caveat.
It is a bittersweet development for the course’s advocates. It must now be called "Ethnic Studies: An Overview of Americans of Mexican Descent."
The Republican-controlled board passed the new name, and after the 14 to 1 vote gave the first approval for a statewide academic standard to create the high school elective.
Board member David Bradley of Beaumont put the amendment forward and said the hyphenation would be "divisive."
"The individual who proposed the amendment was not in favor of a hyphenated America. I don’t consider myself to be a hyphenated America, but I’m very proud of who I am and where i come from. As I said in the meeting, his experience, is unlike mine," said Marisa Perez-Diaz of Converse.
The decision comes after hours of impassioned testimony during the board meeting Wednesday.
"My people, mi gente, mi cultura, should not be seen as the bad people. They should be seen as people," said Clara Perez, who attends KIPP University Prep in San Antonio.
Teachers argued that a consistent framework across school districts makes it easier to plan lessons.
"Any other course that you would have, like, 'I am going to teach Algebra One, here’s the Algebra One textbook.' This is what we would love to have for this class," said Juan Carbona, a Donna Independent School District teacher.
Many spoke to the life-changing experience of learning from example, especially when the people share the same ethnicity.
"If we can put these types of heroes in the lives of our kids and if they can learn their culture, maybe we can inspire other kids," said board member Ruben Cortez of Brownsville.
"This shows them, 'Yes you can. You are a part of the story, you are a part of this country, you do belong here and you can contribute and continue to contribute to make this country a better place.'," Carbona said.
Many times, board member Pat Hardy of Forth Wort insisted that students should already be learning about Mexican historical figures, as part of existing standards when it comes to social studies. She said school districts should be held accountable.
"To try and bully the board, into doing something, because they feel like they’ve been downtrodden bugs me," Hardy said.
Proponents said they believe this will mean more opportunities to have courses about other ethnicities.
"It does open the door. It shows that we can do this, than others can as well," said Christopher Carmona, chair of the National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies.
The amendment can still be changed. There's a final vote Friday, and the board will review the standard in June. Then, they will consider using the Mexican-American studies curriculum out of Houston Independent Schol District.