Office of Communications Blog

Horne praises Board action to start process to remove DEI language from teaching standards

  • Mon, Dec 8 2025

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne is pleased that the state Board of Education has approved opening the process to review statewide teaching standards to remove Diversity, Equity and Inclusion terms to comply with a federal Executive Order.

Horne: AG Mayes refuses to pursue more than $158K in potential ESA fraud

  • Tue, Dec 2 2025

 PHOENIX – State schools superintendent Tom Horne says Attorney General Kris Mayes’ threat to sue the Department of Education over the operation of the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program is hypocritical since her office has turned down several potential criminal referrals sent by the department.

108 schools leave school improvement status in past year, Horne celebrates academic success

  • Wed, Nov 19 2025

PHOENIX – Using proven methods that emphasize rigorous academics in the classroom has pulled 108 schools out of “School Improvement” status this past year, Superintendent Tom Horne announced today. Horne is also celebrating the academic success of other schools that have consistently used programs based on core academic subjects that cause students to excel academically.

Horne, ADE recognize six AZ Blue Ribbon Schools

  • Wed, Nov 12 2025

PHOENIX – Six Arizona schools have been recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools by state schools superintendent Tom Horne and the Arizona Department of Education today.

Horne releases survey showing teacher shortage still at crisis point

  • Thu, Nov 6 2025

 PHOENIX – State schools superintendent Tom Horne says a new Arizona Department of Education survey of public schools shows the teacher shortage remains in a catastrophic state. More than 1,000 Arizona teachers quit the profession since July of this year.  In excess of 4,000 teaching positions are vacant and being covered by long-term substitutes or other part-time methods, with almost 1,400 completely unfilled.

Horne dissents in State Board vote to delay process to remove DEI language from teaching standards

  • Mon, Oct 27 2025

PHOENIX – State schools chief Tom Horne says he strongly disagrees with postponing the effort to remove Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) language from state teaching standards, saying the federal government may withhold an estimated $866 million and this issue must be addressed immediately.  Following today’s board action, the matter will be placed on the December agenda.

Arizona is first in the nation for percentage of students using AI as learning tool

  • Thu, Oct 23 2025

(PHOENIX) - Arizona is first in the nation in the percentage of students using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, according to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne. More than 170,000 Arizona students are now using AI-powered tutoring to enhance their academic performance. That figure represents 16 percent of all public school students and it is expected to grow.

Horne: Federal university compact in line with merit-based philosophy

  • Tue, Oct 21 2025

PHOENIX - State schools chief Tom Horne, who is also a member of the Arizona Board of Regents, says the Trump administration’s Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education is aligned with his philosophy of fighting against racial entitlements, and he is pleased that the University of Arizona and Arizona State University are in talks about implementing the agreement.

Horne: Closing schools tied to parents’ anger about woke ideology

  • Tue, Oct 14 2025

PHOENIX – State schools chief Tom Horne says promotion of woke ideology is a significant reason behind potential school closures in several school districts. He points to the latest effort by the Scottsdale Unified District to promote the transgender agenda among elementary and middle school students.

Horne lauds AZ law requiring holocaust instruction

  • Tue, Oct 7 2025

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne says today’s anniversary of the horrific Hamas attack on Israel is a potent reminder of the continuing need for Holocaust instruction and he is praising Arizona’s law that requires such teaching.