The Florida Board of Education has recently approved a set of academic standards for African American social studies classes in K-12 schools. These standards, which have been released amidst Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Republicans’ ongoing crusade against public education, have sparked controversy.
One of the points of contention is the inclusion of language in the standards that states, “slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.” Additionally, while the instruction will include mention of the violence perpetrated against and by African Americans, it does not make it mandatory for students to learn about each individual’s contributions, challenges, and overall stories.
Earlier this year, the board also banned the teaching of Advanced Placement African American Studies in high schools across the state, claiming that the course lacks educational value and contradicts Florida law. In contrast, the AP studies course, unlike the newly approved standards, includes important voices of Black feminist thought, such as Kimberlé Crenshaw, bell hooks, and scholars like Angela Davis. It also covers topics like Black queer studies and intersectionality.
A group of 11 organizations, including the NAACP, has expressed their opposition to the board’s decision, slamming it for omitting important aspects of African American history. These organizations, which also include the Florida Education Association, emphasized the importance of teaching the full unvarnished history of the state and country, including both the good and the bad.
The Florida Education Association has also expressed concerns, stating that the standards skew history and put Florida students at a disadvantage. President Andrew Spar criticized Governor DeSantis for pursuing a political agenda that divides people and cheats students out of a complete understanding of American history.
Unfortunately, the Florida Board of Education has not responded to requests for comment from HuffPost.
It is worth noting that Governor DeSantis has declared his candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, with former President Donald Trump currently leading the GOP field.
Image Source: Huffington Post
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