The Trump administration is threatening to withhold federal funds from public schools that have diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne is forwarding the memo to local schools.
The U.S. Department of Education sent a letter to state leaders, asking them to certify their compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. It went on to say that any violations — including the use of DEI programs to advantage one’s race over another — is impermissible.
In a statement Thursday, Horne claimed DEI programs promote racial discrimination and said he’s been working to get them out of Arizona schools.
Horne said schools must attest that they will comply with the guidance in order to continue getting federal funds. Schools have until April 14 to respond.
This comes a day after he forwarded another letter saying schools must share gender identity information with parents.
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Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill limiting the use of cellphones in schools last week. Tom Horne, Arizona superintendent of education, urges schools to enforce the policy all day, not just during instruction. -
Universities have been at the forefront of a lot of the biggest national stories over the past several months, from issues of protest and free speech to concerns about the loss of research and general funding. -
The Peoria Unified School District has spent more than $200,000 defending a lawsuit brought by a school board member over quoting the Bible at public meetings. Attorneys for the now-board president say she won the case. -
The Arizona Board of Regents has approved no-cost extensions for three Regents’ Research Grants, focused on finding solutions to a few of the state’s big problems. -
In the U.S., grandparents have taken on an expanded role as caregivers for children. And new research from the University of Arizona has found that when grandma and grandpa are in charge, the kids spend almost half of that time staring at screens.
