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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The federal government is providing $3 million to support a new mineral processing plant at the University of Arizona. The facility will be connected to an underground mine near the town of Sahuarita. -
A pair of education groups are proposing a ballot initiative to rein in Arizona's universal school voucher program — which has ballooned to a nearly billion-dollar-a-year expense since first approved in 2022. -
Women from eight universities are scheduled to compete in a flag football tournament held in metro Phoenix in April. -
The Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board is planning to discuss censuring one of its members at next month’s meeting. This come after community calls for his resignation. -
A Mesa teacher’s aide who was arrested over inappropriate texts with a student worked with special needs students, the prosecutor says. Dominic Sette was arrested by Mesa police on Tuesday.
