Topline
Florida drew controversy this week after the state rejected an AP African-American Studies course for “lack[ing] educational value,” the latest in a string of recent decisions by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and his administration that have reshaped education in the state to be further to the right ahead of his likely presidential run.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks after being sworn in to begin his second term during an … [+]
Key Facts
AP Studies: The state did not explain its reasoning for rejecting the African-American studies course, but said it would “reopen the discussion” about it if the College Board had more “lawful, historically accurate content,” and the Florida Standard, a conservative outlet, reported the call was based on the syllabus containing “progressive” topics like “Black Queer Studies” and “Postracial Racism and Colorblindness.”
Stop WOKE Act: Florida enacted legislation that bars “critical race theory” from schools and universities, which has been partially blocked in court but the state has still been taking some action on, such as by issuing a survey to universities asking about ideological leanings and diversity.
School Libraries: The state has also enacted restrictions on what materials school libraries can have, making it easier for controversial materials to be challenged or outlawed, and mandated new training for school librarians; local news reports suggest the changes have resulted in some teachers moving to get rid of their classroom libraries entirely so as to not violate the law.
Don’t Say Gay: Florida drew national controversy for its Parental Rights in Education law, known by critics as “Don’t Say Gay,” which prohibits some classroom instruction on LGBTQ issues and has been criticized as discriminatory and harmful to LGBTQ students.
Transgender Students: DeSantis’ administration has asked universities to provide details on how many students have sought gender-affirming medical care like surgery or hormone prescriptions, drawing criticism from LGBTQ rights advocates, and the Florida State Board of Education passed a motion Wednesday stating federal anti-discrimination rules against sex-based discrimination do not cover transgender students.
School Boards: DeSantis publicly supported a number of Republican school board candidates in the midterm elections, which helped install them in school districts across the state, and Politico reports many DeSantis-backed officials are now using their power to oust superintendents who aren’t aligned with their policies.
New College of Florida: DeSantis appointed six new trustees to the New College of Florida, a public college known for being more left-leaning, and his administration said the appointments were part of an effort to remake the college as “more along the lines of a Hillsdale of the South,” referring to Hillsdale College, a Michigan school known for its Christian and conservative ideologies.
Ben Sasse: DeSantis enacted a law that made the process of selecting college presidents more secretive, which soon led to the University of Florida appointing former Sen. Ben Sasse (R-N.D.) to be its next president, sparking protests from students who questioned the process behind his appointment and feared he will be too partisan of a leader.
Math Textbooks: The Florida Department of Education drew controversy in spring 2022 for rejecting math textbooks from being used in the state because of “impermissible” content around critical race theory and “social emotional learning.”
Crucial Quote
“We must ensure school systems are responsive to parents and to students, not partisan interest groups, and we must ensure that our institutions of higher learning are focused on academic excellence and the pursuit of truth, not the imposition of trendy ideology,” DeSantis said in his second inaugural address in January when he was sworn in for a second term, criticizing other states for “[harming] education by subordinating the interests of students and parents to partisan interest groups.”
Chief Critics
DeSantis and his administration’s moves on education have drawn widespread criticism from the left, and from many educators and school employees. “It is becoming increasingly untenable, particularly for marginalized people, but for lots of people to work in higher education because there’s so much hostility from the government, which is an infringement on our academic freedom, but it’s also an infringement on our First Amendment rights,” University of Florida librarian Kestrel Ward told ABC News.
Key Background
DeSantis has garnered widespread attention as governor for his policies aimed at attacking more “liberal” ideologies. In addition to his educational efforts, the governor has also vehemently attacked Covid-19 restrictions and raised questions about vaccines—despite medical evidence showing they’re safe and effective—and the state waged a war with Disney after it came out publicly against the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation. The Florida governor has ramped up his efforts to reform the state’s schools and colleges as his national profile has risen ahead of the 2024 presidential election. DeSantis has become a frontrunner for the GOP nomination since he sailed to reelection in November by a 20-point margin—while former President Donald Trump, his main competition, was instead blamed for the party’s losses—though he has not yet formally committed to running.
Further Reading
Ron DeSantis is pushing education in Florida much further right (Washington Post)
DeSantis-backed school boards begin ousting Florida educators (Politico)
Florida rejects AP African American Studies course, claiming it ‘lacks educational value’ (Miami Herald)
DeSantis seeks details on transgender university students (Associated Press)
Some educators slam DeSantis’ war on ‘woke’ in education (ABC News)
Some teachers removing classroom libraries to comply with new Florida rules, officials say (WFTV)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2023/01/20/rejecting-ap-studies-restricting-libraries-heres-how-desantis-and-his-anti-woke-policies-are-impacting-florida-education/