Students, faculty, and others protested a law that would ban Mexican American studies and other ethnic study programs at Tucson Unified School District schools in Ariz. (Los Angeles Times / May 6, 2010

Officials should stop trying to solve phantom problems and instead focus their attention on the very real issues facing Tucson’s Latino and African American students.

The Tucson Unified School District was forced to shut down its Mexican American Studies program earlier this year after Arizona Supt. of Public Instruction John Huppenthal threatened to withhold millions of dollars in state aid. Huppenthal said the program violated a state law banning classes that promote “racial resentment,” encourage “ethnic solidarity” or advocate the overthrow of the United States.

Fortunately,