10: Superintendent Tom Horne on Critical Race Theory, School Bathroom Policies, and Arizona School Choice

Grand Canyon Times

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne joined the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss several issues central to the state of education in Arizona, including Critical Race Theory, school "bathroom policies," sexualized content in schools, and Arizona school choice.

Horne, 78, was elected Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction in the November 2022 election, defeating incumbent Kathy Hoffman (D). Horne received 50.2% of the vote to Hoffman’s 49.8%.

A native of Montreal, Quebec, Horne is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School.

He has served in all three branches of Arizona government. Horne was a member of the Arizona House of Representatives from 1997 to 2001, and had a first stint as Superintendent of Public Instruction from 2003 to 2011. He was elected as state Attorney General in 2010, but lost his re-election to fellow Republican Mark Brnovich in the 2014 Republican Primary.

Following is a summary of this episode:

• Arizona's Education System: Horne talked about his efforts in the state's education system, including removing junk food from schools and eliminating ethnic studies in classrooms.

• The ‘Save Women’s Sports Act’: Horne detailed his office’s defense against a federal lawsuit challenging an Arizona state law that bans boys from competing in girls' school sports. Horne said he will take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, if necessary.

• School Bathroom Policies: Horne discussed prohibitions on boys using girls’ bathrooms in Arizona schools. He said so-called “transsexual” students should have separate bathrooms or use faculty bathrooms.

• Parental Involvement and School Boards: Horne said parental involvement in education is important, and said he would like to see more conservative or academically oriented individuals on school boards.

• Critical Race Theory: Horne said he is opposed to critical race theory being taught in schools, saying it divides students by race and is contrary to the principles of civilization.

• Sexualized Content in Schools: Horne said he is concerned about sexualized content in school libraries and said there is a need for age-appropriate literature.

• Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs): Horne discusses the ESA program in Arizona, which allows parents more choice in their children's education, especially if their needs are not being met in public schools.