On November 25, 2025, six Arizona state legislators, led by Representative Michele Pena, sent a letter to the State board of Education requesting that the Board fix English Immersion Rules to comply with the provisions of Prop 203, ARS 15-756.01, and President Trump’s Executive Order which expressly prohibits the use of federal funds to support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programming.
The six legislators who signed this letter are: Michele Peña, Arizona State Representative, LD 23; David Marshall, Arizona State Representative, LD 7; Michael Carbone, Majority Leader Arizona State Representative, LD 25; James Taylor Arizona State Representative, LD 29; Leo Biasiucci, Arizona House of Representative, LD 3;0 Hildy Angius, Arizona State Senator, LD 30; Lisa Fink, Arizona State Representative, LD 27; Tim Dunn Arizona State Senator, LD 25
BACKGROUND:
Ever since their inception, English Language Learners (ELL) programs have been the source of controversy, revolving around the model(s) and the content of the materials to use.
In 2000, Arizona voters passed Proposition 203, which called for specific methods to use, mostly revolving around full immersion.
Arizona statute ARS 15-756.01 also addresses the issue of method and content.
However, the controversy continues, as illustrated by the current allegations that English Immersion Rules allow the implementation of DEI material.
LEGISLATORS RESPONSE:
The legislators who sent this letter are concerned that the AZ Board of Education is not following the Arizona Department of Education’s (ADE) proposed revisions to the Structured English Immersion (SEI) Framework.
They backup their concern by stating that:
“Our office has heard from numerous constituents who expected SEI coursework to reflect neutral, research-based English language instructional methodology. Instead, they are reporting university courses loaded with ideological, divisive, and race-based content, material that has no place in SEI and is being slipped in under the protection of the current, poorly constructed framework. Institutions are exploiting vague and permissive language to push political agendas into teacher preparation. This is a breach of public trust”
THEY FURTHER STATED THAT:
“We also want to address the Board’s recent interest in a study committee before initiating the public process to make necessary revisions to the current framework. ADE, in its statutory capacity to provide staffing support to the Board, came to you ready to move forward. The question posed at your previous meeting was not a vote on proposed changes but rather whether to start the process to restore instructional neutrality and legal compliance. The hesitation on the part of the Board is deeply concerning and gives the appearance of a delay tactic designed to slow or obstruct needed reforms.”
SPECIFIC REQUEST:
“For these reasons, we strongly urge the Board to immediately authorize ADE to open the rulemaking process and remove any provisions in the SEI Endorsement Course Framework that conflict with federal directives or violate the principle of instructional neutrality. Arizona’s standards must be academically focused, legally compliant, and free from political manipulation.”
PARTICIPATION BY THE PUBLIC
The committee of the State Board of Education that will be dealing with this subject is scheduled to meet on Monday, December 1. The public is welcome to participate as stated HERE.
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