Horne Intensifies Cultural Battles in Powerful State of Education Address

During his recent State of Education address, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne outlined his priorities for schools, emphasizing the need for increased armed security and opposing transgender athletes’ participation in girls’ sports. Horne, a Republican in his second term, expressed gratitude to the Arizona House of Representatives Education Committee for advancing a bill allowing retired police officers to protect schools.

“A gun-free school is inviting trouble,” Horne stated, praising a school resource officer who intervened in a dangerous situation at a Tucson charter school, potentially saving lives. He argued that without security personnel, tragedies could occur.

Both Horne and GOP Rep. Matt Gress challenged Democratic lawmakers’ views against armed presence in schools. Gress asserted that counselors alone would not have been sufficient to avert threats from intruders on campuses.

The discussion extended to philosophical concerns, with Horne critiquing what he termed the “focus on racial preferences” in education. He called for a shift towards the merit-based values he believes are foundational to American success.

Echoing previous stances, he rejected claims that critical race theory is part of Arizona’s K-12 curriculum. Despite its national discussions, public educators in Arizona assert it is not part of the teaching framework.

Addressing the topic of transgender athletes, Horne declared that “biological males” should not compete in girls’ sports, a claim that has met with substantial opposition based on current data regarding transgender participants in sports.

In a move to bolster his stance, Horne has taken on the defense of a law banning transgender girls from sports after Arizona’s Attorney General opted not to defend it, although the law is currently blocked by a federal appeals court amid ongoing legal challenges.

Reflecting on his goals from last year’s address, Horne admitted that significant progress on teacher pay and disciplinary measures has not been achieved. His push for funding to increase teacher salaries through Proposition 123 remains essential as that financial support is set to expire soon.

Horne also reiterated his opposition to bilingual education, a stance that follows a judge’s dismissal of his lawsuit against dual-language instruction programs in Arizona. He maintains that English immersion—is the most effective method for English language learners, a point contested by some educators and lawmakers.

Finally, Horne affirmed his commitment to the state’s universal school voucher program, phrased the Empowerment Scholarship Account program, which has attracted significant enrollment since its expansion in 2022, drawing both praise and criticism. Advocates see it as a model for choice, while opponents label it as a subsidy for wealthy families.