Tom Horne, President | Arizona Department of Education
At a recent meeting, the Scottsdale school board faced criticism for adopting a history book focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), despite objections from some parents. Sheriff Sheridan expressed concerns that such narratives could foster distrust among students toward law enforcement. He stated, “The men and women who wear the uniform in Arizona are among the bravest and most noble public servants in this great state.”
Jim Hill, president of the Maricopa County Colleges Police Association and a parent in the district, joined others to voice their concerns. Superintendent Horne presented examples from textbooks adopted by what he termed the "woke majority" of the school board. He highlighted instances where he believed propaganda techniques were used to present biased views.
Horne emphasized, “We must all work together to ensure that school textbooks and curriculums are based on sound academics and historical facts.” He provided specific examples from textbooks published by Savvas Learning Company. One example discussed events involving Black Lives Matter activists without mentioning opposing viewpoints. Another described 2020 protest marches as generally peaceful, which Horne contested with media footage showing violence.
Further examples included references to the Ferguson incident and interpretations of democracy in America. Horne criticized these for presenting misleading or one-sided perspectives. He also challenged statements about economic challenges faced by LGBT communities, arguing they were misleading.
The adoption of DEI-focused materials continues to be a contentious issue within educational settings, reflecting broader national debates over curriculum content.
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