"I wanted to apply for this because I want resources for my kids," said Hsiao-Ning Tu, a Chinese teacher at the Hill School who received a $10,000 grant. "I also wanted the prestige. The kids will know that 'I'm in a program that is recognized, so I should work hard.' "
Central High and Girls' High, public schools in Philadelphia, are the other Pennsylvania schools in the program. New Jersey's five include Princeton High School and the private Peddie School in Hightstown. The network schools hold conferences and act as mentors to other schools.
The Chinese government support has stirred some controversy. Critics in Hacienda Heights, Calif., are trying to recall school board members who approved a similar program.
Christopher Livaccari, an associate director at the Asia Society in New York who oversees Chinese-language initiatives, said the Chinese government did not dictate curriculum, textbooks, or teaching methods. The nonprofit society has been working to improve ties between the United States and Asian nations since 1956.
Area educators said no one had challenged the Confucius Classrooms concept here.
"I don't think there are any strings attached," Tu said. "I think the Chinese government knows. They want to push the language, push the culture. They know America is a different system, a different way of thinking. I don't think they would be so dumb to interfere."
She used part of the grant to buy a whiteboard she installed in the hallway outside her classroom so students could work crossword puzzles in Chinese.
Xueling Qu, head of the world-languages department at Girls' High, said School District lawyers had reviewed the school's agreement and had found nothing objectionable.
