Arizona State Representative Michele Peña has called on the State Board of Education to address issues with the Structured English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement Course Framework. Peña, along with several House and Senate colleagues, sent a letter urging the board to authorize the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to initiate rulemaking at its upcoming meeting on December 1.
The lawmakers express concern that current SEI rules may lead to federal noncompliance and allow universities to introduce political and race-based content into teacher preparation courses. They argue this is contrary to state law and the intended purpose of SEI, which should focus on research-based English language instruction.
Representative Peña highlighted constituent reports indicating that SEI coursework is being used for ideological purposes rather than focusing on English language teaching. “Parents expect English-language instruction to focus on English-language instruction,” she said. “Instead, they’re finding courses with ideological material that has nothing to do with helping students learn English.”
Peña also referenced President Trump’s executive order prohibiting federal funds for DEI programming, suggesting current SEI requirements risk federal funding due to noncompliance. The lawmakers criticize the board’s hesitation in October to begin rulemaking despite ADE’s readiness.
State law mandates SEI as a research-based model for English acquisition. The inclusion of DEI-aligned content or ideology is seen as undermining this purpose by creating classroom divisions and distracting educators from mandated instructional goals.
The letter urges the board to enable ADE to start rulemaking and remove any provisions violating federal directives or instructional neutrality requirements. Michele Peña, a Republican elected in 2023, represents Arizona’s 23rd House District, covering Yuma, Pinal, and Maricopa Counties.
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