MIAMI.- Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law Tuesday that imposes new restrictions on who can challenge books and other teaching materials in Florida public schools, limiting this right exclusively to parents with children enrolled in the affected school district.
The rule, called HB 1285, also places restrictions on the number of claims a person can file against school supplies per year.
During a press conference in Jacksonville, DeSantis criticized those who manipulate “educational transparency measures for political purposes,” even attacking standard content texts.
“There are some people who are taking the transparency of the curriculum and trying to turn it into a weapon for political purposes. And that means opposing books,” which DeSantis considers “normal.”
The new law comes at a time when Governor DeSantis has been involved in a controversy over the banning of books in schools, due to racial or sexual orientation issues, among others.
Before this legislation, there were no limits for those who wanted to challenge books or other educational resources, nor in the frequency of such complaints.
The reason for the law
According to some lawmakers, parents of various political affiliations have “exploited” the system, overwhelming school districts with an excessive volume of complaints. In fact, during the 2022-23 fiscal year, more than 1,200 challenges to books in the state.
Manny Díaz, Florida Commissioner of Education, highlighted that the law seeks to “balance” the ability of parents to object to inappropriate books in schools, but will block those who try to use this resource to destabilize the educational system.
“This is designed to allow parents to have a voice, to allow parents to challenge books that should not be in a school,” Díaz warned.
According to a report by the nonprofit Pen America, Florida is a national leader in banning books in public schools, with 1,406 texts vetoedwhich represents almost 40% of the total bans in the United States.
Other aspects of the law
The new legislation endorsed by DeSantis, for whom it is a “law that will change education throughout the state,” also includes the following aspects:
- Requires school districts and charter schools to provide students in grades 11 and 12 with the opportunity to take the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Test (ASVAB) and the opportunity to consult with a military recruiter.
- Ensures that postsecondary institutions enable students to advance in school.
- Protects against conflicts of interest between a postsecondary institution and its trustees.
- Allows classical schools to prioritize enrollment for families moving from one classical school to another.
- Provides a clear and concise process for a struggling school to become a charter school.
- If a school receives two consecutive D’s or an F on its school grade, it is considered a “remedial school.” If the district’s plan to transform the school is not successful, the path for the school to find new direction and leadership must be simple and efficient.
- These changes will eliminate lengthy negotiations between the incoming charter school and the school district, ensuring that no student is trapped in a failing school in Florida.
- A charter school must give preference to children from the previous school zone and must offer the same grade levels as the previous school.
- The charter school cannot be charged rent for the facilities and the school district cannot charge an administrative fee.
- Continue to support military families with the Purple Star Schools of Distinction Program.
- Help ensure a smooth transition for military families moving to Florida by requiring schools to provide them with support and resources.
