Arizona Department of Education wants to find, eliminate ‘DEI’ language in teaching standards

The Arizona Department of Education is urging the state board of education to eliminate all language in teaching standards related to diversity, equity and inclusion or face losing federal funding.

But the department doesn’t cite specific language that needs changing.

President Trump issued an order in January to end federal grants for DEI. Much of that ruling is blocked from going into effect by an injunction.

But Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne argues the state should be prepared to comply if that changes.

Although Trump’s order specifically threatens funding to DEI programs, Horne claims all $866 million of the state’s K-12 funding is at risk.

As for what specific language needs to be changed, a spokesperson for the ADE said in an email they will look for things like teaching “equitably” or focusing on “responsiveness to the cultural backgrounds and differing perspectives learners bring to the learning environment.”

ADE staff members will present their case to the Board on Monday. If the Board agrees to make the changes, it will be a monthslong process with stakeholder input.

ADE spokesperson Doug Nick referred to a letter from the United State Department of Education from February.

It states American schools have been discriminating against students on the basis of race, and particularly white and Asian students.

“Institutions that fail to comply with federal civil rights law may, consistent with applicable law, face potential loss of federal funding,” the letter states.