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Stop Horne’s “DEI” Overreach
Arizona’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne appears to be using Trump’s Executive Order [[link removed]] attacking so-called “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility” (DEIA) as an excuse to gut Arizona teaching standards and bilingual education standards, which he’s been attacking for decades [[link removed]] . Meme of Tom Horne saying [[link removed]]
In a recent interview with Fox 10 [[link removed]] , Horne even bragged that he was “ready to [cut off funding to AZ schools] as soon as [Trump’s officials] authorize me to” — referring to Trump’s threats to freeze $800 million for Arizona schools if DEI policies are not removed.
However, this executive order is still tied up in the courts [[link removed]] , with 14 active cases pending [[link removed]] — so any rush to strip language is manufactured. Further, Horne’s attempts to “remove DEI” are a broad overreach that would go far further than what would be reasonably required by the order (should it survive in court).
🙄 Horne’s Hot Takes: According to Supt. Horne’s press release [[link removed]] , “The teaching standards in question include references to teaching ‘equitably’ and with a focus on ‘responsiveness to the cultural backgrounds and differing perspectives learners bring to the learning environment.’ They also refer to understanding the ‘social, emotional and cultural needs of students’ in the classroom… These terms do not belong in teaching standards. The standards are meant to direct educators on the most effective ways to teach students' core academics. Every instructional minute is precious, and DEI efforts distract from that essential mission.”
🔕 We couldn’t disagree more, Mr. Horne. Ensuring educators understand and are responsive to cultural differences and the social, emotional, and cultural needs of students [[link removed]] is key to student learning.
Here are some of the outrageous examples of language that Horne’s ADE has proposed to strip in order to “remove DEI”:
❌ “Define and discuss cultural influences on teaching and learning”
❌ “Define cultural competence and explain its role in the instruction of English learners”
❌ “Explore strategies for supporting and celebrating cultural diversity within instruction”
❌ “Explore strategies for leveraging home language and cultural assets”
❌ “Study strategies for responsiveness to the different strengths, needs, and identities of all EL students, including special needs”
❌ “Define and discuss opportunities and approaches to meet the social-emotional needs of English learners”
❌ “Describe how school and classroom environment influences language acquisition and the steps necessary to create an inclusive environment”
❌ “Discuss the importance of understanding the social, emotional, and cultural needs of students when establishing classroom routines and procedures”
❌ “Responsiveness to the cultural backgrounds and differing perspectives learners bring to the learning environment”
❌ “Family engagement practices that support and highlight the assets of home languages”
🧑‍⚖️ Decision on Dec. 8: On October 27, the Arizona State Board of Education voted to table the process [[link removed]] to remove references to “DEI” (diversity, equity, and inclusion) from state teaching standards until their December 8 meeting, which gives us time to speak up.
📣 Speak up! Raise your voice to encourage our State Board of Education members to support Arizona’s diverse students by rejecting these revisions as the overreach they clearly are. They will vote on the matter at their Monday, December 8 meeting – mark your calendars to join us!
👉 Use our one-click email tool [[link removed]] to write the AZ Department of Education, then click HERE to submit a comment to the State Board of Education [[link removed]] ! (You can copy/paste your email from the tool for this)
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DONATE TO SUPPORT OUR WORK TODAY! [[link removed]]
We desperately need funding to ensure our work continues to go strong heading into 2026! Year-round organizing is our goal, and it takes everyone who believes in our work to help us sustain it. Please consider a donation to fuel our grassroots work!
READ THE FULL WEEKLY EDUCATION REPORT HERE [[link removed]]
LEA EL SEMANARIO EN ESPAÑOL [[link removed]]
Trump Guts US Dept. of Ed
This week brought a devastating blow to public education, with Trump’s Secretary of Education Linda McMahon announcing massive shifts within the US Dept. of Education [[link removed]] (US ED) that aim to accelerate her “final mission” to shut down the department altogether — removing critical protections for students and sending our country back 50 years in terms of civil rights and services for disabled students.
Image of Linda McMahon with headline [[link removed]]
Six new agreements by US ED will effectively move billions of dollars in grant programs to other agencies [[link removed]] . This move will effectively outsource the department’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education and Office of Postsecondary Education, two of the agency’s largest units. Most notably, the Dept. of Labor will take over some of the largest federal funding streams for K-12 schools, including Title I money for schools serving low-income students. Other agreements move funding and oversight of critical grants to the Dept. of Health and Human Services, the State Dept, and the Dept. of the Interior. [[link removed]] It’s important to note that these departments have also been gutted by federal layoffs and, more importantly, are not trained or equipped with the expertise to handle the needs of K-12 students. The potential for disruption in programs for some of the nation’s most vulnerable students is truly alarming.
As of now, funding for programs is not at risk and will flow through the newly assigned departments. But these moves, paired with the administration’s explicit threats to move funding into block grants [[link removed]] that go directly to the states to be voucher-ized, puts all federal K-12 funding at serious risk.
👉 What Does the US Dept. of Ed Do – and Why Does it Matter? [[link removed]]
👉 What Happens If the Education Department Disappears? Former Obama Official Explains [[link removed]]
McMahon’s statement read: “The Trump Administration is taking bold action to break up the federal education bureaucracy and return education to the states. Cutting through layers of red tape in Washington is one essential piece of our final mission.” It’s important to note that returning education to the states is exactly what segregationists called for in the post-Brown v. Board South as they opened voucher-funded, discriminatory segregation academies [[link removed]] .
1960 photo of white, mostly female, protesters shouting as 5 year old Ruby Bridges walks to attend a de-segregated New Orleans school. [[link removed]]
How is this legal? The Administration continues to acknowledge that shutting down US ED would require an act of Congress. However, Secretary McMahon has referred to these initial agreements as “proof of concept” for convincing Congress to enact legislation necessary to permanently close US ED. The goal is to convince Congress that the deals should be cemented into legislation, eliminating a need for the department.
These moves circumvent Congress, raising serious doubts as to the legality of these agreements and the Trump administration’s attempts to shut down US ED unilaterally through inter-agency shifts — and will surely be litigated.
Reach Out to Your Elected Officials & Tell Them to STOP the Dismantling of the US Dept. of Ed:
📧 Email: Protect Every Student: Stop the Attack on the US Department of Education [[link removed]]
📲 Call: Tell Congress to Keep Education Funds With the Education Department [[link removed]]
Voter Registration Squad!
We are ready to WIN BIG IN ARIZONA IN 2026. But — and it’s a big “but” — our voter registration numbers are not where they should be in order to effect the wins we need to achieve to ensure adequately funded community schools, well-paid educators, and robust resources for classrooms. Turning Point USA is spending millions to register MAGA voters across Arizona, and we need to step up and compete. We don’t have millions — but we do have people. Earnest people who yearn for change and want to make their communities better. YOU!
Join our Voter Registration Volunteer Squad today [[link removed]] ! We have trained 60 voter registration volunteers in the past 2 weeks, and have 2 more upcoming trainings [[link removed]] to ensure you have what you need to partner with other volunteers in your community to register voters wherever you’re comfortable — at libraries, music festivals, food fairs, and so much more. Person-to-person contact is the most effective way to register voters, and that human connection helps people understand the critical importance of casting their vote. You can be a connector and a force for good – click here and join us [[link removed]] ! (find out more below)
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💥📋Register Voters in Your Community! Join us for a virtual training to learn the ins and outs of registering voters in your community! No experience necessary to get started in making a difference and helping neighbors use their vote and their voice!
REGISTER HERE [[link removed]]
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💥☎️ Register Voters over the Phone! Want to help register voters? Join us for our virtual phone banks Sunday Nov. 23 3-4:30, Wednesday Dec. 3 5:30-7, and Sunday Dec. 7 3-4:30 [[link removed]] to help eligible voters get registered! Training is provided — all experience levels are welcome!
REGISTER HERE [[link removed]]
Join Us!
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Connect with Voters through Canvassing! Learn all about deep canvassing and how to have meaningful conversations with swing voters. Deep canvassing focuses on listening and connecting with voters to understand their concerns, questions, and perspectives on public education. Sign up for one of our interactive virtual trainings so you can be part of this incredible team of changemakers!
REGISTER HERE [[link removed]]
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Gen Z In-Person Phonebank Party! Arizona’s youth powerhouses are teaming up for one massive night of action. Join the Young Democrats of Arizona, Keep Arizona Blue Student Coalition, Save Our Schools Arizona, the College Democrats of Arizona, the High School Democrats of Arizona, Unity Rising, and the Maricopa County Young Democrats for a Gen-Z–led voter registration phone bank party!
Together, we’ll call voters across Maricopa County, helping them register, stay informed, and be ready to vote in 2026. Expect good vibes, community energy, music, training, and all the excitement that comes with organizing alongside the most determined generation in the state! Whether you’re a first-time volunteer or a seasoned organizer, your voice matters. Build power with us, expand the youth electorate, and help keep Arizona moving forward. Join us on December 2nd from 5-7pm (address provided upon RSVP).
REGISTER HERE [[link removed]]
Support SOSAZ
[link removed] [[link removed]] Our newsletters don’t write themselves! Support our work by becoming a paid subscriber to Save Our Schools Arizona’s Substack [[link removed]] . A monthly or annual donation of any amount helps to keep the lights on at the Weekly Education Report so we can provide you with the latest news in education week after week.
SUBSCRIBE HERE [[link removed]]
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Contact Us
[email protected]
Save Our Schools Arizona
PO Box 28370
Tempe, AZ 85285
United States
Paid for by Save Our Schools Arizona. Not authorized by any candidate.
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