Grand Canyon Times

State schools chief Tom Horne has expressed approval of a recent letter from the U.S. Department of Education, which cautions educators nationwide that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs may lead to racial discrimination by educational institutions. The letter warns that such practices could jeopardize federal funding and violate civil rights.

Horne stated, “I am glad the world is catching up to me. In 2007, I opposed the Ethnic Studies program in the Tucson district because it was based on racial discrimination using Critical Race Theory. In recent years, the use of CRT and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs have embedded discriminatory practices and attitudes among our school children. This is unacceptable. We are all individuals, entitled to be judged by what we know, what we can do and our character, not the color of our skin, but CRT and DEI programs promote racial division, which has no place in society, including the classroom.”

Since assuming office in 2023, Horne has mandated that grant and contract recipients affirm they do not employ DEI initiatives. He also requires public schools to declare on their report cards whether they respect students as individuals without relying on concepts like Critical Race Theory or engaging in Social Emotional Learning distractions.

In his latest State of Education speech, Horne reiterated his stance against these divisive practices: “...the focus on racial entitlements does nothing to encourage hard work, conscientiousness or creativity. If our country adopts that philosophy, we will become a mediocre third world nation.” He expressed gratitude for the federal government's commitment to addressing this issue.