Arizona leaders push to remove DEI language from teaching standards

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Arizona's State Board of Education will meet Monday, December 8 to decide whether to begin rewriting the state’s teaching standards, after state leaders called for removing diversity, equity and inclusion language.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne has urged the board to take out references to cultural responsiveness, inclusive lessons, and equity-focused teaching.

Horne says those concepts put too much emphasis on race and could risk federal funding under a recent executive order from President Trump that warns schools using DEI programs could lose federal dollars.

Some parents support the proposed changes, saying teachers should focus on core subjects like reading, math and history.

If the board votes to move forward, the process of updating Arizona's teaching standards would begin in the coming months.