PHOENIX, AZ — Arizona education officials are preparing to revise state training standards and curriculum policies to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order banning diversity, equity and inclusion in federally funded programs. State leaders say they must act swiftly to avoid jeopardizing roughly $866 million in federal education funding.
Because the executive order does not define “DEI,” Arizona’s Department of Education must craft its own terminology while hoping it aligns with federal expectations. The State Board of Education voted Monday to begin removing DEI-related language from structured English immersion training and professional teaching standards. Two stakeholder groups will develop recommended revisions for the board to consider later next year.
The move comes after the U.S. Department of Education warned that districts failing to comply could face investigations and lose federal dollars. The directive has already faced numerous legal challenges across the country, with several courts issuing temporary stays.
The proposal drew sharply mixed public comment. Some educators warned that eliminating DEI from schools would erase cultural competency practices and reduce support for Arizona’s diverse student populations. Critics said the shift risks repeating the fallout seen elsewhere, such as the temporary removal of Pentagon webpages honoring the Navajo Code Talkers and Tuskegee Airmen following Trump’s order.
Supporters argued the term “equity” has been misapplied in recent years and that stripping DEI from standards would restore academic focus.
Superintendent Tom Horne defended the changes but expressed concern that the timeline may not satisfy federal demands. Stakeholder meetings are expected to begin in February, with recommendations due next September.
SOURCES
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
