(The Center Square) – The Arizona State Board of Education on Monday approved removing diversity, equity and inclusion teaching standards to comply with a federal executive order and avoid the potential loss of $866 million in federal education funding.
During the meeting, board members heard testimony from parents, educators and members of the public who raised concerns about removing the standards. Yet the board approved to start the process of reviewing statewide teaching standards related to DEI.
In a Nov. 25 letter to the board, eight state lawmakers joined Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne in calling for immediate revisions to the Structured English Immersion framework.
The letter argues that the current standards contain DEI language that violates state law, undermines classroom neutrality and jeopardizes federal funds.
Horne warned that Arizona could lose the funding in 2026 if the state does not comply with Executive Order 14151, issued in January by the Trump administration to cut DEI requirements in education.
“All people should be judged based on their character and ability, not their race or ethnicity. DEI language and programs promote the exact opposite, and they have no place in the classroom. These terms do not belong in teaching standards,” Horne said in a statement.
The process will begin in early 2026 to provide draft material for the board’s consideration in September 2026.
A working group will define DEI-related terms and determine which language should be removed. The board also approved language requiring that any changes maintain high pedagogical standards.
Opponents urged the board to reject the proposed changes.
During the meeting, Beth Lewis, an Arizona parent and educator of 12 years, said removing DEI teaching standards “constitutes a broad overreach that would go well beyond what would be reasonably required by the order.”
Eliminating standards on cultural competency and celebrating cultural diversity would amount to “educational malpractice and would erase what makes our students unique … their talents and context,” Lewis added.
Board member Jason Catanese said the state’s priority should be student outcomes, not administrative costs or federal funding.
Arizona has lost more than 1,000 teachers since July, he said, noting the changes could create additional challenges.
“I value the diversity that we bring to our classrooms, and I want to make sure that every single decision truly helps our students to learn and thrive,” Catanese said.
The Arizona State Board of Education and Arizona Department of Education told The Center Square that they don’t have a response beyond comments made during the meeting.
