More than 900 schools decline to answer new report card questions

For immediate release: February 29, 2024
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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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