Alex Brandon/AP/File
The move comes amid broader efforts by Republican lawmakers, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, to limit how racism and history are taught in schools.
CNN
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Florida rejects nearly 35% of social studies textbooks submitted by publishers for approval, including textbooks that reference social justice or “other information not consistent with Florida law,” according to the state Department of Education. announced on Tuesday.
According to the ministry, 66 of the 101 submitted social studies materials for kindergarten through high school students were approved, meeting state standards for each grade level.
When submitted materials were initially reviewed, only 19 out of 101 were approved due to “inaccuracies, errors, and other information that did not comply with Florida law,” the department said. said it had “worked with publishers who updated their materials to comply.” We follow Florida’s strict standards. ”
The Florida Department of Education’s move comes amid broader efforts by Republican lawmakers, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, to limit how racism and history are taught in schools. The issue is also in the midst of a controversial debate in the country.
Examples of rejected materials provided by the department include:
- It removed text that mentioned how parents should discuss the national anthem with their children and explained that students in kindergarten through fifth grade would “take a knee” to protest police brutality.
- Removed sections on social justice and the Black Lives Matter movement for grades 6-8.
- When discussing the content of the Hebrew Bible for grades 6-8, change “social justice issues” to “key principles.”
- The reference to a “socialist economy” that “has the potential to promote greater equality while providing an economy under the supervision of a fully functioning government” is replaced by “a slow-moving economy centered on planning and approval.” Therefore, development is slow and technological progress is small.” Change to “planned economy.” “While Limiting Human Incentives” for 6th through 8th graders.
Reasons for some materials being rejected include references that “contain political language when referring to the Hebrew Bible,” “unsolicited topics,” or “not appropriate for age.” Concerns were included.
“To maintain our standards of excellence, we must focus on the highest quality educational materials available to our students and teachers: historical facts,” Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. said in a statement Tuesday. “We need to ensure that educational materials are available that are free of inaccuracies and ideological rhetoric.”
Florida Department of Education
Previously, this content was for grades K-5. Concerns: Not age appropriate.
Florida Department of Education
Edited version of previous copy.
The social studies materials that the department found substandard include “The African American Experience, 2022,” “History of the Holocaust, 2022, Second Edition,” and another teaching on the Holocaust, “Modern Genocide, 2022” was included.
According to the department, publishers should appeal materials that are not accepted and submit amendments to ensure that “the final material meets Florida’s final bid specifications and meets Florida’s academic standards.” It will be reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure that the
CNN reached out to the Florida Department of Education on Wednesday for additional comment.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools Commissioner Dr. Steve Garon expressed skepticism about some of the textbook changes in an interview with CNN.
He said these events were “historical facts” and no one should try to “delete or modify” what happened.
“Social studies was always at the center of students’ ideas. Things like this happened,” he said.
Officials with the Miami-Dade County School District, the third largest in the country with more than 330,000 students, said the district is awaiting a list of approvals to move forward with next year’s textbook selection.
The state Department of Education’s decision drew criticism, including from NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson, who said the organization refuses to “stand by and allow fascism to take over.” Ta.
“One thing is clear: Gov. Ron DeSantis is erasing our history and destroying our democracy by brainwashing children and stripping them of basic freedoms,” Johnson said in a statement to CNN. “We are committed to dismantling it,” he said. “In the last month alone, he has led Florida’s state government in attacks on parental and reproductive rights, erasure of Black history, and now rejection of curriculum that does not align with his extremist agenda.”
Florida Department of Education
Previously, the content was for 6th through 8th graders. Concern: Political language when referring to the Hebrew Bible.
Florida Department of Education
This is an edited version of the previous textbook.
Stefana Ferrell, an Orange County parent and co-founder of the Florida Reading Freedom Project, told CNN: “It’s unfortunate that we’re in denial of the world and what’s going on in it. ” he said.
The project was launched in January 2022 to unite parent organizations across Florida “committed to protecting the right of all students to access information and ideas while in school.”
Ferrell has two sons in public school, a freshman and a senior, and he took them to Orlando Magic basketball games where he watched the players kneel during the national anthem. He said he had seen it before. She said she is concerned about what would happen if children asked questions about similar life experiences and whether teachers could comply with the law while answering those questions during class.
“It’s so important that students’ lived experiences in the classroom are respected, that all students feel like they’re part of the conversation, and that they can ask questions about their lives, their culture, and their society. And , which really limits it,” she said.
In April 2022, Mr. DeSantis signed the Personal Liberties Act, also known as the Stop WOKE Act, which restricts racial education in schools and workplaces, but it has faced legal challenges since taking effect on July 1. ing. He ruled in a federal appeals court in March that a temporary injunction on part of the law would remain in place.
Also, in April of last year, the Florida Department of Education submitted 132 documents that were rejected because they did not comply with the Excellence in Student Thinking Standards or included critical race theory or social-emotional learning. Rejected 54 out of 50 math textbook publishers.
In April, the Florida Board of Education banned high schools from teaching students about sexual orientation or gender identity, and said teachers who violate the policy could be suspended or have their teaching licenses revoked.
At least 15 states are considering bills similar to the controversial bill, according to data compiled by the American Civil Liberties Union.