The Arizona Department of Education has created a list of school districts that have and have not complied with new federal guidance on diversity, equity and inclusion programs. This comes after federal judges ruled against the Trump administration’s orders to cut funding from schools with those programs.
The U.S. Department of Education sent a letter to state leaders in early April, asking them to certify their compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, saying the use of “illegal DEI practices” could lead to serious consequences, like the loss of federal funding.
The Phoenix Union High School District has chosen not to sign until several court challenges on the matter are settled.
In an email to KJZZ, a spokesman wrote:
"The Phoenix Union High School District is in compliance with all federal civil rights laws, including Title VI. The DEI attestation sent on April 3, is subject to two separate injunctions issued by federal courts last week. It is therefore inaccurate for the Arizona Department of Education’s webpage to label Phoenix Union as non-compliant. PXU will continue monitoring the court cases on this matter and will take further action as appropriate."
Jeremy Calles, superintendent of the Tolleson Union High School District, ripped up the letter in a special governing board meeting last week.
“I have grown up with diversity, equity and inclusion being a good thing and with that, I cannot in good conscience sign that document," Calles said at the meeting.
Calles, like some leaders in other districts, pointed to the fact that the term "illegal DEI" is not defined in the letter, and he’s concerned about the unspecified threats made to schools who don't comply.
ADE said the site is informational pending the outcome of the court challenges to the guidance. The U.S. Department of Education has informed state education agencies that it “will take no further action concerning the Title VI Certification Letter (DEI) unless and until further notice is provided.”
