Arizona Department of Education Launches “Empower Hotline” to Report Inappropriate K-12 Classroom Materials

Arizona’s Department of Education has launched a new hotline, the “Empower Hotline”, for state residents to report K-12 class curriculum and lessons that they deem “inappropriate”. The hotline was championed by state Superintendent for Public Instruction Tom Horne, a Republican who unseated the Democratic incumbent last fall. Horne ran on a campaign platform of “fighting critical race theory” and stopping the “liberal indoctrination” of schoolchildren.

The hotline allows residents to voice their concerns about classroom materials that “detract from teaching standards”. This includes lessons that “focus on race or ethnicity rather individuals and merit, promote gender ideology and social emotional learning”.

The launch of the hotline is the latest step in an effort to provide public funds for private schools in Arizona, which began in 2011. Arizona lawmakers decided in late 2022 that the state will pay tuition, related education expenses or both for children at any school parents select, including private and religious schools.

The decision to provide public funds for private schools has been met with some criticism from education policy researchers. They argue that despite evidence that voucher programs do not improve, and may even impede, students’ educational achievement, these programs are becoming more common.

The Arizona Department of Education has urged residents to use the “Empower Hotline” to report any classroom materials that they deem inappropriate. The department has stated that it will take all reports seriously and will take appropriate action to ensure that students are receiving the best education possible.