PHX Reporter

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne delivered his 2025 State of Education speech, highlighting the importance of school safety following a recent incident in Tucson. Horne praised a Tucson Police Officer for arresting an armed suspect on a school campus, emphasizing the need for armed law enforcement officers in schools.

Horne stated, “This brave police officer prevented the nightmare I have often talked about. 20 students and additional adults would have lost their lives, and the student’s parents would have had their lives ruined by uncontrollable grief. I know about this because I have lost a child. Those who have been opposing police in the schools need to rethink this issue. Think of the unimaginable tragedy that would have occurred if that School Resource Officer had not been there, or if he had been hired a little later.”

He also addressed other issues such as keeping biological boys out of girls’ sports and focusing classroom time on academics rather than distractions like Critical Race Theory.

Horne commented, “I have required the districts and charter schools to answer questions about these kinds of philosophical issues and published their answers on the school report cards. Parents will be informed if the schools are serious about teaching academics or promoting woke ideology. This is important now that parents have choices.”

On gender-related sports participation, he added, “Biological males have no business in girls’ sports, showers, or locker rooms. I am fighting this battle in court as we speak and pledge to never stop fighting for the right of girls under title IX to compete, excel, and take their rightful place on the winner’s podium.”

The speech also covered initiatives focused on classroom instruction and teacher support. Horne called for increased legislative funding for teacher salaries and renewing Prop 123 to enhance school funding from the State Land Trust.

A priority for Horne is using AI as an educational tool. He mentioned Khanmigo as “the best program we have found for education application of artificial intelligence… It does not substitute for teachers; it helps them... Studies show the most effective means of teaching is one on one tutoring."

Horne proposed that high school students should pass a graduation test or be certified in a trade through career technical education programs before graduating.

His speech outlined 15 initiatives aimed at improving academic standards in schools. Among these were successes like Move on When Reading which ensures Third Grade students are proficient before advancing to Fourth Grade.

He also discussed forming the Arizona Education Economic Commission (AEEC) to expand Career and Technical Education opportunities.

Additional efforts highlighted included success with school intervention teams, data-driven instruction, creating an Arizona Digital Education Library, reducing bureaucracy, Character Education programs, leadership training across Arizona counties, and upholding laws requiring English as the language of instruction.

The full speech along with details on all initiatives was made available along with accompanying materials.