Florida’s rules on LGBTQ+ issues in schools spark continued pushback

The big story: Several Florida mayors are taking a stance against the state government’s recent efforts to diminish LGBTQ+ student rights in schools.

They have signed resolutions and proclamations opposing the direction lawmakers and the governor have taken in areas including lessons about gender identity, transgender student use of restrooms and staff and student choices of personal pronouns.

The mayors say they understand the cities don’t directly affect school policies, but they want to cast their support for all students. A Department of Education spokesperson said everyone must remember that schools have to follow state law. Read more from K-12 Dive.

In the spring, the department asked the major programs that provide accelerated courses in high schools to affirm that their materials would adhere to state law limiting instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation.

The College Board publicly announced a month ago it would not change its Advanced Placement psychology course. The International Baccalaureate program took a different approach.

Hot topics

University president searches: The Senate sponsor of 2022 legislation to allow certain aspects of presidential searches to remain private says some of the university and system leaders have perverted the intent of the bill, the News Service of Florida reports.

New rules: This week’s State Board of Education meeting promises to be impactful as the board considers adoption of several rules based on new laws recently adopted by the Legislature, the News Service of Florida reports.

Educator discipline: A Palm Beach County middle school teacher has has state certification revoked after allegations that he inappropriately touched three female students, WPEC reports.

Civics classes: More than 11,000 Florida teachers completed a state civics training program in time for the new school year, WFTV reports.

From the court docket ... A descendant of the family that donated land to the Orange County school district for a school has joined a lawsuit accusing the district of misusing the site, Spectrum 13 reports.

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

Before you go ... From unseeded to champion. How about that Wimbledon women’s final? The men’s match was pretty exciting, too, wasn’t it?

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