From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

Language, culture, and God in public education.

Hello again, I'm Arminolny, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International,

a daily look at the issues. Americans care about most.

With religious diversity on the increase, Christmas carols and crosses have raised controversies for America's public schools.

But debate has been raised to a new level by an Arabic-themed school in Brooklyn, New York, and a Hebrew charter in Hollywood, Florida.

Both schools say they'll focus only on language and culture.

Critics say it's inevitable. They'll teach Islam and Judaism at taxpayer expense. On to the point, a question as old

as the Constitution. Are there guidelines to help public schools from crossing the line that separates

church and state? On reporter's notebook later on, new revelations about terrorism surveillance,

first here's the news.

Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW Santa Monica and from the Public Radio

International Program Fund, whose contributors include the Ford Foundation and the John

D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Well, and allie, we have back with To the Point. New public schools will be teaching Arabic and Hebrew language and culture.

Can they do that without advocating religion? On To the Point, the latest debate about the separation of church and state.

On reporter's notebook, America's top intelligence officer reveals new information on surveillance of terrorist suspects,

then leaves it up to a local paper to decide what to print.

First, this news update.

Yesterday, President Bush said Iraq's prime minister is a good guy with a tough job.

Today, his administration released the latest intelligence on Nuri

Al-Maliki's prospects. Peter Baker covers the White House for the Washington Post. Peter, good to have you with us.

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