Arizona lawmakers have called on the State Board of Education to revise Structured English Immersion (SEI) rules and eliminate ideological coursework from teacher preparation programs. Representative Peña and her colleagues argue that current regulations put Arizona at risk of violating federal requirements and allow universities to include political and race-based content in SEI training, which they say goes against state law.
Some constituents have reported that SEI courses are being used to promote ideological material rather than focus on research-based methods for teaching English. The lawmakers reference a previous executive order from President Trump that prohibits the use of federal funds for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programming. They warn that Arizona’s current SEI requirements do not comply with this order, potentially putting federal funding in jeopardy.
The group also expressed concern about the State Board’s reluctance at its October meeting to start the rulemaking process, even though the Arizona Department of Education was ready to proceed.
“Parents expect English-language instruction to focus on English-language instruction,” said Representative Peña. “Instead, they’re finding courses with ideological material that has nothing to do with helping students learn English. The Board can’t ignore federal requirements, and it shouldn’t look the other way while universities inject political content into SEI training. The framework needs to be corrected now, and delays only create further problems for students, teachers, and the state.”
According to state law, SEI is supposed to use research-based models for English acquisition. Lawmakers say adding DEI-related content undermines this goal by dividing classrooms and distracting educators from their main task.
The legislators are urging the Board of Education to let ADE begin rulemaking and remove any provisions that conflict with federal directives or compromise instructional neutrality.
Carbone, a Republican who replaced Michelle Udall as representative of Arizona’s 25th House District in 2023, is among those supporting these efforts.
A copy of the lawmakers’ letter has been attached.
