PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona's education chief says the federal government has launched an investigation into whether the state discriminates against teachers who are nonnative English speakers.
The state Department of Education for years has been monitoring English fluency of teachers who instruct English learners.
In April, the education department began instructing districts to fire teachers who weren't proficient in the English language.
The probe was launched by the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne says federal officials disclosed the investigation in a letter sent to the Arizona Attorney General's Office.
A Justice Department spokeswoman declined comment to The Associated Press.
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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com
