For immediate release: April 12, 2024
Contact: [email protected]
 

Horne criticizes Governor’s classroom cell phone ban veto

Bill addressed invasion of mobile devices in schools

State schools chief Tom Horne criticized Governor Katie Hobbs’ veto of a bill he supported that would allow local districts and charters to set a policy restricting the use of mobile devices while students are in class. He pointed out that under the bill, local school authorities would set policies to accomplish that goal.

Horne stated, “Anyone with a minimum of empathy would empathize with teachers who try to teach while students are scrolling on their cell phones. Every instructional method is precious. A teacher should not have to put up with that interference with instruction.”

He added, “Cell phones have also become the major way in which students are bullied. It is enough that they get bullied on their cell phones when they’re away from school. It should not be happening while they are in school trying to learn, so that the bullying occurs 24 hours a day. To permit that bullying to go on 24 hours a day shows a lack of empathy for the students.”

A recent poll of Arizona parents on this subject only five percent were unsure.  Of the remaining 95 percent, 62.75 percent supported the ban, with 71 percent of those saying it would increase focus on studies and reduce distractions.

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For immediate release: April 9, 2024
Contact: [email protected]
 

Horne corrects false information about federal funds in letter from legislators

State schools chief Tom Horne is responding to state legislators who made inaccurate assertions in a letter about the Department of Education’s disbursement of federal education dollars.

Here is his statement:

“We received a letter from six Democrat legislators, including the minority whip, stating the following: ‘In light of recent information about the Arizona Department of Education’s plan to withhold federal funding allocations to Title I schools…’ That is a false statement. The Department of Education never had, and never would have, a plan to withhold federal funding allocations. The Department of Education‘s sole role is to distribute funds that come in from the federal government according to a formula received from the federal government and we are doing that.

If it were up to us, we would increase Title I funding. The letter is unnecessarily insulting in lecturing us on the importance of Title I funds, and we at the department spend a lot more time on helping schools improve academic results for high poverty students than anyone in the legislature. Where they get the audacity to lecture us on the importance of Title I funding is beyond me.

In estimates that were clearly marked as preliminary, we estimated 20 percent less based on what we were hearing about possible cuts in Title I funding, and a significant cut in Arizona’s share because of decreasing levels of poverty compared to other states. It was clear for anyone bothering to read the email that that was preliminary only. The schools will have the actual numbers before the end of this week. That will be in plenty of time to avoid any negative impact of the preliminary numbers.

We will, of course, furnish all the information that the letter requests. We always do that. There was no need to send an irrationally insulting letter.”

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For immediate release: March 19, 2024
Contact: [email protected]
 

Parent files lawsuit defending English as language of the classroom

Horne notes action has potentially “draconian” outcome for school board members

PHOENIX – A Phoenix-area parent of a public-school student has filed a lawsuit challenging the Creighton Elementary School District’s use of dual language instruction in violation of a voter approved law requiring English Learners to be taught in English the entire school day.

State schools superintendent Tom Horne is not party to the lawsuit but notes that if it is successful, the consequences for the district’s elected school board members are significant.

Horne said, “Each member of the Creighton Elementary school board will be compelled to leave the board immediately and will not be able to hold a position of authority in Arizona public schools for five years if the court agrees that they are violating the voter-approved Proposition 203. The law includes this penalty to ensure that schools take the law seriously. Despite these draconian consequences, the evidence is clear that the Creighton District is violating the will of the voters by using dual language programs. The clear mandate of the law is that English Language Learners be taught English by immersion throughout the day and all school districts must follow the law.”

He added, “When I sued the Governor and Attorney General for their failure to enforce this law, all I requested was a judgment that the intent of the law is clear and must be enforced. The suit was dismissed because some years ago the legislature authorized certain departments to sue and be sued, and the Department of Education was not one of them. My argument, on which we are appealing, is that there was an implied authorization because I was given many duties to oversee education of English language learners. But I also warned that if my lawsuit was unsuccessful, it would pave the way for any parent of any public school in Arizona to file another lawsuit that would result in these draconian penalties. That day has come.”

A copy of the lawsuit is attached.

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For immediate release: March 12, 2024
Contact: [email protected]
 

Supt. Horne sounds warning on teacher shortage, promotes workforce readiness and academic initiatives in State of Education

Updates multiple academic initiatives for 2024

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne says the largest and most urgent problem facing the state is a dire shortage of teachers, calling it a “potential catastrophe” that requires immediate attention.

Horne also cited significant workforce development concerns both in the public and private sector that are being addressed through the Arizona Education Economic Commission that he established in 2023. In addition, he outlined sixteen initiatives to public schools increase academic outcomes.

Speaking to the House Education Committee Horne explained, “Currently, we have 60,000 teachers in our classrooms. 8,000 of them are leaving each year. Our educator preparation programs produce 1,900 per year that actually show up in our classrooms. 2,815 teachers also return to the classrooms. That is a net loss of about 2,300 per year. If that trend were to continue, it would eventually lead to zero teachers.”

Horne supports legislative efforts to raise teacher salaries as well as a bill proposed by Horne to strengthen state law to require more district and charter administrative support for teacher discipline. He noted that those two issues were cited in a recent survey of teachers as the top two reasons for leaving the profession.

Workforce development shared the spotlight as Horne explained the development of the Arizona Education Economic Commission.

He stated, “We entered into an agreement with the leaders of the major companies in our state: we will provide the skilled workers. In return, the businesses will either teach our career technical education teachers what skills to teach or will provide people to teach those skills.”

He added, “We started with a core group of 20 industry leaders including TSMC, Banner Health, Raytheon, U-Haul international, and Lucid Motors. Also participating are all of our state’s career and technical education districts. With the enthusiastic support of all of Arizona’s major industries, this Department of Education is going to solve Arizona’s shortage of sufficiently skilled workers.”

Other initiatives Horne highlighted include a growing number of school improvement teams, leadership training, paperwork reduction, school safety and using data to improve academic outcomes.

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For immediate release: March 11, 2024
Contact: [email protected]
 

ELL court decision paves way for draconian measures against school board members

State law allows any public-school parent to sue districts

The ruling did not reach the merits of the case, which were controlled by a voter approved initiative that stated clearly that, “all children in Arizona Public schools shall be taught English by being taught in English,” and all “children shall be placed in English language classrooms.” Instead, ruling was that no statute authorizes the Department of Educations to initiate a lawsuit.

Horne added that further legal action paves the way for potentially draconian measures to be taken against school board members who fail to follow the law.

Horne stated: “The districts that opposed our position will regret this development. A near identical action will be filed by a parent, and this will have much worse consequences for the districts.”

He explained, “The language of Proposition 203 allows for parents of public-school students in any Arizona district to sue any district – including other districts - in violation of this statute. If such a lawsuit is successful, the school board members of a district found to be in violation of the law are removed from their positions and cannot run for any public office in education for five years. There are parents prepared to file such a suit, and today’s court decision dismissing my lawsuit on purely technical grounds means that is the pathway forward.”

He concluded, “I sought to avoid this consequence for school personnel, by bringing a declaratory action that only sought a declaration that the initiative be enforced and did not seek any other remedies against anyone. Now an action by a parent may result in serious personal consequences for the leadership of districts sued."

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For immediate release: March 4, 2024
Contact: [email protected]
 

Horne: Hundreds of districts and charters fail to report on Holocaust instruction

Calls for support of legislation to strengthen the requirements

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne reports that 322 of the approximately 750 Arizona districts and charter schools – about 43 percent – have affirmed that they are teaching about the Holocaust and other genocides as required by state law. He is advocating for the passage of legislation that would bolster that requirement.

Horne said, “Current state law requires teaching about the Holocaust and other genocides, but it does not specify how much time is spent. We surveyed districts and charters to find out if they are following the law, but more than half did not respond. This shows the need for HB 2779, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Republican Rep. David Marshall and Democrat Rep, Alma Hernandez to be passed and signed into law. This bill would require that students in grades 7-12 will have to twice complete a three-day program on the Holocaust and other genocides.”

He added, “After the horrific events of October 7, there was a one-sided pro-Hamas presentation at Desert Mountain High School that produced antisemitism among students and made Jewish students uncomfortable and fearful. If Holocaust studies are presented properly, students will be less gullible to antisemitic presentations. I am gratified that 322 districts and charters are following the law, with many of them taking anywhere from two to four weeks to do the instruction. That is commendable, but we need this bill to be sure all districts and charters are in compliance with the intent of the law.”

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For immediate release: February 29, 2024
Contact: [email protected]
 

Horne: ADE alerted Mayes of potential fraud cases

Attorney General’s assertion ADE was unaware is incorrect

PHOENIX – Contrary to an assertion made today by Attorney General Kris Mayes, State schools chief Tom Horne says the Department of Education alerted the Attorney General’s office to potentially fraudulent activity on the part of two of the three former Arizona Department of Education employees named in indictments handed up by the state grand jury.

Horne stated, “The Attorney General is not telling the truth when she states that the alleged criminal activities of former ADE employees did not raise flags in the department. In fact, the opposite is true. Our office did alert the Attorney General’s Office to concerns we discovered regarding Dorrian Jones and Jennifer Lopez. A credit union became suspicious of efforts of a third former employee, Delores Sweet, and they also reached out to the Attorney General’s Office. It is worth noting that these employees were hired under my Democrat predecessor whose oversight of the Empowerment Scholarship Account Program was lax. In fact, it was so loose that when I took office, I faced dozens of parents at State Board of Education meetings furious at me for placing more controls on expenses and spending requests.”

He added, “Our discovery of the activities of the two former staffers is consistent with my determination to root out potential fraud and abuse. When I took office in 2023, I hired a 19-year veteran of the Auditor General’s Office to oversee the financial structure of the Empowerment Scholarship Account Program. That person is now the director of that program. We also hired a full-time investigator with extensive law enforcement experience. In 2024 alone, we have referred seven instances of suspected fraud to the Attorney General’s Office and, despite her efforts to smear this department, we will continue to do so.”

He concluded, “I have absolutely zero tolerance for criminal activity on the part of any employee, contractor or vendor. The unfortunate fact is that the Department is not alone in having been victimized by fraud. According to the Auditor General’s Financial Investigation Reports and Fraud Prevention Alerts website, over the past 30 years there have been multiple incidents of fraud committed against government entities, including various state agencies, law enforcement and many school districts.”

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For immediate release: February 29, 2024
Contact: [email protected]
 

More than 900 schools decline to answer new report card questions

Horne initiated academic focus queries about Critical Race Theory, school discipline and others

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne has released figures showing that more than 900 Arizona schools have declined to answer five academic focus questions related to matters such as ensuring schools do not inappropriately expose students to explicit content and avoiding instruction that promotes racial division such as Critical Race Theory.

Of the 2,467 district and charter schools in Arizona, to date 1,565 have affirmed that they are following these guidelines, leaving 902 that have not.

Other questions center on ensuring that any sexual content is developmentally appropriate, administrators fully support teacher discipline and schools avoid excessive distractions such as Social Emotional Learning.

Horne said, “It is scandalous to see that more than 900 schools have declined to be transparent with parents who entrust their children to be educated by these schools. Parents have the right to be fully informed about what their neighborhood schools value and how instructional time is used.”

He added, “Some in the media claim that Critical Race Theory is not taught in public schools. This is obviously false. Some do so explicitly and publicly such as the Balsz Elementary District. The fact that more than 900 districts and charter schools did not answer the question proves that the problem is widespread and distractions from academics are contributing to low test scores.”

“Every instructional minute is precious, and every minute should be devoted to academics, not unnecessary distractions, lessons that divide people by race, or exposing students to subject matter that is not developmentally appropriate. Schools have a responsibility to teach to the state standards and graduating students who are academically proficient. This is simple common sense and easily achievable by every school in the state,” Horne concluded.

Schools that decline to attest to these inquiries have that information included on their school report card provided on the department's website. If schools eventually choose to respond, that will be updated on their report card.

The department has also asked districts to affirm whether they are following state law that requires instruction on the Holocaust and other genocides. That information is still be compiled and will be released early next week.

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For immediate release: February 15, 2024
Contact: [email protected]
 

Horne marks National School Resource Officers Appreciation Day

February 15 honors officers who serve students and educators

PHOENIX – All 307 School Resource Officers in Arizona have received an appreciative letter from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne in honor of today’s National School Resource Officers Appreciation Day.

Horne wrote, “I want to take the opportunity of National SRO Day to express deep thanks to all of you for the work you do in our schools.

 My nightmare has been that a maniac will invade a school and kill 20 students, as happened in other states, and could happen here, and there is no one there to protect them. If that were to happen, the parents of the students would never recover.

If the parents found out that the school could have had an SRO funded by our office, and they chose not to, you could imagine how the parents would feel about THAT decision making. That is why I pushed hard for schools to adopt SRO programs and will continue to do so. One of you may be responsible for saving those students’ lives, and their parents’ mental health. I could think of no greater achievement for anyone.

 In addition, by teaching law courses, and relating to the students, the students develop a relationship with you, and their attitude toward police officers becomes much better for the rest of their lives. As some of you may remember from when I was Attorney General, I have always been a very strong supporter of getting all law-abiding citizens to support our law-enforcement officers, and I pledge to continue to do that as much as I can. 

 I am very grateful to all of you.”

In early 2023, Horne began implementation of the nearly $100 million school safety grant program that places armed police officers on school campuses. He urged schools to prioritize this, noting that any delay in implementing this goal would leave schools more vulnerable to a tragic catastrophe. The number of law enforcement officers, including School Safety Officers (SSOs), in schools has nearly doubled. The SSO model ensures an officer is on a campus at all times when a school is unable to have a dedicated SRO.

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For immediate release: February 12, 2024
Contact: [email protected]
 

Horne and Dr. Oz announce school health, wellness and career readiness partnership
Education and HealthCorps team up

PHOENIX – State schools chief Tom Horne and Dr. Mehmet Oz, M.D., are announcing a partnership between the Arizona Department of Education and the non-profit HealthCorps initiative founded by Dr. Oz more than 20 years ago.

The partnership provides for more educational programming, leadership experiences and service learning related to student health, wellness and career development in the health care field. Also included are Arizona Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and the National Football League Alumni Association (NFLA), which was represented at today’s announcement by retired NFL players Nick Lowery, Darryl Clack and Wesley Leasy.  

Horne stated, “Dr. Oz and I share a passion for having health and wellness; and we need to do as much as possible to teach and encourage healthy eating habits, exercise, and other lifestyle choices that promote the physical and mental well-being of students. Healthy students also perform better academically. HealthCorps shares my focus on that mission as well as the value of giving students opportunities to explore careers in the health care field, where workers are badly needed.”

Dr. Oz said, “This generation of teens is facing unprecedented challenges in their physical health, behavioral health, and social needs. Left unaddressed, this leads to an increased risk for mental illness, substance abuse, chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer, and a lower life expectancy. Combatting these stats, we provide teens with the tools to become more physically and mentally resilient. HealthCorps is the glue between the private sector and public agencies like the Arizona Department of Education. I am grateful to Superintendent Horne for joining me in this effort.”

The Arizona Department of Education already has significant responsibilities in the areas of school health and nutrition that lend themselves to cooperative agreements with groups like HealthCorps to address the growing health and wellness needs of Arizona students. The department’s Career and Technical Education unit has as one of its primary goals to assist students who are in programs that will lead them to careers in the health care field. And the Health and Nutrition Services group provides schools with resources for providing healthy meals.

In the near future, the Department will make resources from HealthCorps available on its online platform for educators.

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