Florida Board Of Education Approves DeSantis’ Rule Banning Ideas Associated To Critical Race Theory
On Thursday, the Florida Board of Education passed a rule proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to prohibit the teaching of certain race and history topics.
Although the regulation does not specifically reference critical race theory, it is intended to prevent related beliefs.
“Instruction on the required topics must be factual and objective and may not suppress or distort significant historical events, such as the Holocaust, and may not define American history as something other than the creation of a new nation based largely on universal principles stated in the Declaration of Independence.” according to the rule.
The measure is part of a larger effort by DeSantis and other Republicans to rid schools of what they say are expressions of critical race theory. According to DeSantis’ office, the word “critical race theory” is excluded from the regulation because “CRT isn’t the only issue.”
“No child should be classified as a ‘victim’ or ‘oppressor’ based on their race or ethnicity,” said Christina Pushaw, DeSantis’ press secretary.
“Race essentialism in any form is destructive, especially in a diverse society where each person should be judged only by the content of their character, not the color of their skin,” Pushaw continued.
Arguments over CRT in history mostly focus upon concerns raised in the “1619 Project,” a controversial text that claims slavery was the nation’s actual beginning. It also raises doubt on how U.S. history has historically been taught, according to its author, by highlighting slavery’s impact on American culture.
Author Nikole Hannah Jones said openly in a webinar last month that her effort was meant to be additional to standard curriculum and that it was purposefully making an argument about how to perceive US history.
According to critics of anti-CRT measures, Republicans are driving teachers to whitewash some of the injustices inflicted against minorities in the United States.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, the union agreed with conservatives that major papers such as the Declaration of Independence should be taught, but it also wanted writings that “reflect a more diverse America than are represented in our founding documents
“I don’t think the governor and his fellow Republicans really understand what critical race theory does,” said Gregory Sampson, a high school teacher in Jacksonville.
He added: “It’s not a criticism. It’s a critique, a way of looking at how history has unfolded.”
Rather than encouraging critical thinking, DeSantis’ office claims that new social studies curriculum teach kids what to believe, or indoctrinate them, rather than how to think.
“The bottom line and objective of education is not to introduce ideology and fight political battles – it’s to prepare our students to be great citizens,” DeSantis Communications Director Taryn Fenske told Fox News.
“It’s not telling you what to think, but how to think, and to think critically – with the ultimate goal of ensuring Florida students become well-rounded, civically minded, productive members of society,” Fenske added.
