This past year, the Arizona State Legislature passed HB 2281, which banned ethnic studies programs in Arizona's public schools.

All children, and not just the children of illegal immigrants, benefit from better classrooms that teach on a diversity of topics and are attentive to the needs of students. While HB 2281 was intended to target a Chicano Studies program in Southern Arizona, it effectively outlawed any Latino, African American and Asian American Studies program in the state's public schools. Any public school student, regardless of race or citizenship, hoping to receive an education on these topics can no longer do so.

This petition asks the current Democratic and Republican candidates for School Superintendent to make a pledge to work with members of the State Legislature in reversing HB 2281 and reinstating ethnic studies programs in Arizona's public school classrooms.