Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne is getting in touch with school districts to see if they're complying with the state's required Holocaust education law. He allegesthat schools must not be doing enough given what he calls attitudes surrounding the Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
This follows a November press conference where Horne alleged that materials passed out by two school clubs were “antisemitic and anti-American.” The clubs made a presentation that supported Palestinians in Gaza and accused Israel of human rights violations.
Since then, Horne has doubled down and is now checking that school districts have devoted an adequate amount of time towards Holocaust studies. He alleges that what he calls the “one-sided” “pro terrorist” presentations must be connected to a lack of education.
He has given school districts until Jan. 24 to report their compliance.
Horne also said at an AZ House ad-hoc committee on Antisemitism in Education that he wants to propose legislation that would specifically define standards in the current law that requires schools to teach Holocaust studies.
“How many hours, what’s being taught that sort of thing, and penalties for non-compliance because I don’t think it’s being properly and faithfully implemented," Horne said.
Some parents have alleged that Horne’s actions toward this issue have led to student bullying.
