Office of Communications Blog

Horne says recent gun incident at elementary school shows need for added safety funds

  • Mon, Mar 9 2026

PHOENIX – Last week’s report of two elementary school students being detained when a gun was found at a Phoenix school has prompted Superintendent Tom Horne to urge state lawmakers and the Governor to prioritize additional funding for the school safety program in the upcoming state budget.

Horne announces new federal path to remove DEI from public schools

  • Tue, Feb 10 2026

PHOENIX – The U.S. Department of Education has released new guidance that has the effect of ensuring Diversity, Equity and Diversion (DEI) elements are removed from public schools, according to Arizona schools chief Tom Horne.

Teacher shortage, academic improvement focuses of AZED – ASU partnership

  • Wed, Feb 4 2026

PHOENIX - With the state’s teacher shortage at critical levels and with an eye toward improving student achievement, state schools chief Tom Horne is announcing a strategic partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) to expand access to high-quality instruction, strengthen teacher capacity, and improve student outcomes across the state—particularly in rural and high-need communities.

Horne statement on potential student school protests

  • Fri, Jan 30 2026

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction has issued the following statement regarding potential student protests at Arizona public schools.

HORNE CELEBRATES 100K ESA ACCOUNT MILESTONE, SERVICE AND EFFICIENCY GROWTH

  • Tue, Jan 27 2026

PHOENIX – In a dramatic show of support for school choice in Arizona, more than 100,000 students are now enrolled in the Empowerment Scholarship Account program, according to state schools chief Tom Horne.

Horne’s State of Education: Academic success requires safe campuses

  • Tue, Jan 20 2026

PHOENIX – In his 2026 State of Education speech, state schools chief Tom Horne told the House Education Committee that students cannot achieve academically if schools are not safe. He is asking lawmakers for more money for armed officers on campuses. He also touted the department’s ongoing work to assist schools that has resulted in impressive gains in academic scores at multiple schools statewide.

Supt. Horne mourns passing of former Attorney General Mark Brnovich

  • Tue, Jan 13 2026

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction and former Attorney General Tom Horne issued the following statement on the passing of former Attorney General Mark Brnovich

Horne reacts to U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments on transgender sports case

  • Tue, Jan 13 2026

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne watched this morning’s U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments regarding transgender athletes’ participation in girls’ sports. The court is considering the constitutionality of laws in two states concerning this issue.

Horne: Hobbs and Democrats prove again they oppose school choice

  • Mon, Jan 12 2026

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne says today’s reaction by legislative Democrats to Gov. Hobbs’ statements about school choice proves their opposition to parental school choice.

Horne applauds court ruling supporting parents on sex identity

  • Thu, Jan 8 2026

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne is cheering a state Court of Appeals ruling that allows parents to sue public schools that fail to inform parents when a child intends to identify as a sex other than the one to which they were born.