The education community is trying to figure out how terms outlined in President Trump’s executive order this week could impact in-class instruction and how much, if any, federal money the White House could take from local school districts.
The executive order entitled “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling” was issued on Jan. 29 and in it provided ways public schools must comply with what Trump calls “patriotic education” designed to, according to Section 1 of the order, “instill a patriotic admiration for our incredible Nation and the values for which we stand.”
In-class curriculum, according to the executive order, must follow new regulations in instructional matters of race, gender, and gender expression as defined by the federal government.
School districts the federal government deems not in compliance could lose federal money.
“My Administration will enforce the law to ensure that recipients of Federal funds providing K-12 education comply with all applicable laws,” Trump’s executive order reads.
In terms of the financials, according to a fiscal policy analysis from the Arizona Legislature’s joint legislative budget committee, almost $2.5 billion in federal money was appropriated to the Arizona Department of Education for fiscal year 2024.
In response to a question about how the new executive order could impact Arizona teachers, students, and budgets, a spokesperson from State Superintendent Tom Horne’s office on Thursday issued a statement reading, “Supt. Horne and department leadership are reviewing the Executive Orders and we will have more detailed comment later. Supt. Horne is a strong supporter of school choice and is opposed to the elements of Social Emotional Learning and Critical Race Theory being in the classroom.”
Deer Valley Unified School District has a federal programs department whose mission is to work with parents, teachers, school administrators, and community members to provide opportunities for district students. The federal programs department focuses on key areas including grants management, families in transition, MTSS-B (a multi-tiered system of supports for behavior), and supporting with Title I, Title II, Title III, and Title IV, education for homeless youth, and school safety grants.
According to the district, all federal programs must follow the guidelines set out by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) – an Act signed by President Obama in December 2015 – in order to provide equal opportunities for all students.
How the new administration’s executive orders will impact federal funds at the local level in Deer Valley Unified School District remains to be seen.
“All title funding is focused on supplemental support to improve the education of our students in DVUSD schools,” the district’s Federal Programs Manager Lisa Crain wrote in a statement.
The deputy superintendent of fiscal and business services office shows that in fiscal year 2024-25, Deer Valley Unified budgeted $27.1 million for federal funds based on the awards at the time the FY2025 budget was adopted in July 2024.
The Arizona Education Association, a labor union for statewide public school educators representing more than 22,000 members, has not responded to questions about the executive orders’ impact on Arizona teachers.
Steve Stockmar News Editor | Sun Life Magazine & Arts & Entertainment
YourValley.net
Meet Steve Steve Stockmar joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2017, and has been an Arizona journalist for almost 30 years. He serves as editor of Sun Life Magazine and contributes to West Valley communities where he focuses mostly on arts & culture, education, and profiles of neighbors making a difference.
Community: Every season Steve serves as a “buddy” with the Miracle League of Arizona in Scottsdale, has volunteered his time with Family Promise in Glendale, and previously served on the Ghostlight Theatre board in Sun City West.
Education: Graduated from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a Journalism major and English minor.
Random Fact: Steve once won a 50-player live Texas Hold ’Em poker tournament.
Hobbies: Anguishing over his beloved Chicago Cubs and Bears; listening to Beatles and Grateful Dead music.
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