Grand Canyon Times

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne delivered his 2025 State of Education speech, emphasizing the importance of school safety and various educational initiatives. Horne began by praising a Tucson Police Officer for preventing a potential tragedy at a school campus, reinforcing his call for more armed law enforcement officers in schools.

"This brave police officer prevented the nightmare I have often talked about," said Horne. He urged lawmakers to expand the program, stating that without such officers, "20 students and additional adults would have lost their lives."

Horne also addressed issues such as keeping biological boys out of girls' sports and ensuring classroom time focuses on academics rather than distractions like Critical Race Theory. He stated, "Biological males have no business in girls’ sports, showers, or locker rooms."

The superintendent emphasized the need for legislative funding to increase teacher salaries and renew Prop 123 to help recruit and retain educators. He highlighted the use of AI tools like Khanmigo as essential for providing one-on-one tutoring without needing millions of tutors.

Horne proposed requiring high school students to pass a graduation test or be certified in a trade before graduating. His initiatives include improving reading proficiency through Move on When Reading and expanding Career and Technical Education.

Efforts in data-driven instruction, creating an Arizona Digital Education Library, reducing red tape, character education, leadership training across Arizona counties, and defending English as the language of instruction were also discussed.

The full speech detailing all 15 initiatives is available with accompanying materials.