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Florida schools face battle over U.S. history lessons

A roundup of Florida education news from around the state.
 
A proposed Department of Education rule would require Florida teachers to stick to the principles of the Declaration of Independence, the signing of which is depicted in this 1818 John Trumbull painting, when teaching U.S. history and civics.
A proposed Department of Education rule would require Florida teachers to stick to the principles of the Declaration of Independence, the signing of which is depicted in this 1818 John Trumbull painting, when teaching U.S. history and civics.
Published May 20, 2021|Updated May 20, 2021

As he’s touted his patriotic, American exceptionalism view of civics education, Gov. Ron DeSantis has taken shots at the idea known as critical race theory. Florida lawmakers might have shared his perspective, but they didn’t take steps to ban the approach to teaching about race. Now the Education Department is tackling the subject with a rule. Read on for the latest on that story and more Florida education news.

Teach, don’t preach. That’s the basic message of a proposal governing instruction that the state is advancing. It’s got some critics hot under the collar.

Coronavirus concerns

What is it like to be a student during COVID-19? Top Hillsborough County graduating seniors wrote essays offering ideas about how to better deal with a pandemic. • Some south Florida teens shared their views with WLRN. • Bay County high school seniors encountered many obstacles on their way to graduation, the Panama City News Herald reports.

More on masks. The Palm Beach County School Board heard seven hours of comments for and against its facial coverings policy, WPTV reports. It made no changes. • The Brevard County School Board will hold a special meeting Friday to again debate its mask rules, Florida Today reports. • A Martin County 10-year-old went viral with his speech opposing masks in school, Fox News reports. • The Miami-Dade County school district reversed its plan to make masks optional for outdoor activities, the Miami Herald reports.

Alachua County high school students will get their proms. But first, a few new rules, the Gainesville Sun reports.

Hot topics

The search shall go on. The State University System’s chancellor called for Florida State University’s president selection process to continue despite concerns of undue influence by an accrediting agency, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

The Duval County school district asked residents whether it should rename several schools that honor Confederate soldiers. The community voted to change six of the nine, WTLV reports.

Could a tax on marijuana sales become a new revenue stream for Florida education? Supporters of the idea are working to make it happen, despite having their referendum proposal shot down by the state Supreme Court, Florida Daily reports.

The FDLE has been investigating an Osceola County resource officer accused of slamming a student to the ground. The case now heads to the state attorney, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

School news

Reduce, reuse ... Florida is focusing on education initiatives as it aims to reach its recycling goals, Waste Dive reports.

42 roses. That’s one for each year retiring Martin County teacher Karen Fleming has taught, TC Palm reports.

‘We really needed the outside help.’ A Hillsborough County elementary school adopted the community school model and watched student performance grow, AlterNet reports.

Make it harder. A Polk County graduating senior is urging his high school to offer more Advanced Placement courses, the Ledger reports. Some other schools in the district offer twice the number.

Alachua County’s new superintendent wants to reorganize her staff. Her first step was to secure approval of new job descriptions, WCJB reports.

The Flagler County school district owns a swim and racquet club. Officials are contemplating whether to sell it, or close it to everyone but students, Flagler Live reports.

A new charter school will open in Volusia County in 2022. The district rejected the application several times, prompting the provider to appeal to the state, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.

From the police blotter ... A Hillsborough County high school teacher was arrested in a child predator sting operation. • An Osceola County substitute teacher was arrested on allegations of distributing child pornography, WESH reports.

From the court docket ... A judge ruled a Broward County teacher was improperly suspended over accusations of verbally and physically abusing two students with special needs, the Sun-Sentinel reports.

Don’t miss a story. Here’s the link to yesterday’s roundup.

Before you go ... Nature is something else, isn’t it?