The Florida Board of Education has made a decision to retain the teaching of the notion that slavery had positive effects on black individuals for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
On May 29, the board made a decision to approve a comprehensive 217-page document that included several modifications to Florida’s public school standards. Notably, they chose to retain the African American history standards, which have been a subject of controversy.
In July 2023, Florida took a significant step forward by approving educational standards for middle school students. These new standards included valuable lessons that aimed to educate students about the history of slavery. One such lesson taught students about the complex nature of slavery by highlighting that enslaved individuals were not only victims but were also subjected to a “personal benefit” in some cases. This approach seeks to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the historical context surrounding slavery and its impact on both enslaved individuals and society as a whole.
Teachers’ groups in Florida were highly vocal in their opposition to the curriculum, leading to massive protests.
The Florida Board of Education has given its approval to these standards, which will now require teachers to educate their students about the fact that enslaved people “acquired skills that, in certain cases, could be utilized for their own advantage.”
For almost a year, elected officials and religious leaders from black communities in Florida have been urging the state’s Department of Education, state Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Governor Ron DeSantis (R), and the State Board of Education to reconsider the lesson.
In a recent post, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Florida) expressed his disagreement with the newly proposed African American standards.
In a recent statement, Donalds expressed his support for the new African-American standards in Florida, describing them as good, robust, and accurate. However, he also highlighted the need for adjustments in regards to the portrayal of the personal benefits of slavery. Donalds believes that this aspect was not the intended goal and expresses faith in the Florida Department of Education to address and correct this issue.
In July, DeSantis strongly supported various initiatives concerning black history.
“D.C. Republicans frequently fall into the trap of believing false narratives,” DeSantis expressed during that period. “They accept lies that are spread by the left. It’s not the right approach to continue believing in a falsehood that has already been debunked,” he emphasized.
“The key to combatting false accusations and lies is by speaking the truth,” he asserted. “That’s why I’m here, defending my beloved state of Florida against these falsehoods. We will persist in upholding the truth.”
According to Board Vice Chairman Ryan Petty, the board ensures that the rules and standards are developed in collaboration with educators.
“The idea that we are not actively involved in collaborating with educators and teachers to develop these guidelines is completely untrue,” emphasized Petty.