Grand Canyon Times

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne has announced that he will distribute new guidance from the U.S. Department of Education to schools across Arizona. This guidance mandates that schools acknowledge their compliance with federal civil rights law and avoid implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Failure to adhere to this guidance could result in the loss of federal funding for non-compliant schools.

Horne emphasized the importance of adhering to Title VI of federal civil rights law, which prohibits discrimination based on race, skin color, or ethnicity. He said, "Title VI of federal civil rights law is clear that no person shall be discriminated on the basis of race, skin color or ethnicity, and this aligns completely with my philosophy." He further added that DEI programs contradict these principles by promoting racial discrimination.

Horne also highlighted his ongoing efforts to eliminate such programs from Arizona schools. He mentioned that public schools are required to affirm on their School Report Cards that they respect all students as individuals and avoid concepts like Critical Race Theory. "We are all individuals entitled to be judged by what we know, what we can do and our character, and not by our race," Horne said.

The Department of Education's guidance supports the 14th Amendment and existing anti-discrimination laws. Schools must comply with these laws and constitutional provisions according to Horne. By the end of today, Horne's department will send out the document from the U.S. Department of Education requiring public schools to attest their compliance in order to continue receiving federal funds. Schools have until April 14 to respond.

Information from this article can be found here.