Florida’s Department of Education issued guidance to textbook publishers informing them on the instructional materials that can and cannot be included in K-12 social studies textbooks. The guidance notes that “Critical Race Theory, Social Justice, Culturally Responsive Teaching, Social and Emotional Learning, and any other unsolicited theories that may lead to student indoctrination are prohibited.” The specifications also state that “instructional materials should not attempt to indoctrinate or persuade students to a viewpoint inconsistent with Florida standards.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said, “We’re working to make sure that the purpose of the school system is to educate our kids, not to indoctrinate our kids. And that’s what parents want to see. So, we are doing more than anybody on education across the board,” according to Miami Herald.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) opposed the guidance and said, “Gov. DeSantis is bringing a brand of authoritarianism to Florida that Putin, Maduro or Castro would applaud,” according to Politico.
The deadline for textbook publishers to submit their social studies proposals to the Florida Department of Education is June 10, 2022.
Additional reading:
- Responses to trends in curriculum development
- Florida Department of Education
- Ron DeSantis
- Debbie Wasserman Schultz
