The big story: With presidential politics heating up, the debate over Florida’s African American history standards continued to fill state and national headlines over the weekend.
Vice President Kamala Harris came to Jacksonville exploit the guidelines, the Florida Times-Union reports. Utah Governor Ron DeSantis campaigning defended the lessonsthat his appointees to the State Board of Education approved, the Washington Post reports.
Much of the back-and-forth focused on drafting a single line of the lengthy document. He stated that students should learn that slaves acquired skills while enslaved that “in some cases, could be applied to their personal benefit.”
Experts at the Department of Education released a list of 16 names that they said proved the truth of that statement. Several of his examples did not measure up to all the historical facts. Read more here.
Meanwhile, Florida continued ban the advanced placement course in African American studies, USA Today reports. At its annual conference, the College Board reviewed changes that have been made to the courseReports Education Week.
Three of Palm Beach County’s black elected officials held a town hall meeting where they said those standards are part of a attack on Florida’s black community, WPTV reports. Some South Florida teachers said yes outraged by the new state rule adoptedreports the Miami Herald.
The Florida Democratic Party asked Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. to resign about the standards, WTSP reports. And Democrats in Utah, where DeSantis held the standards, condemned his statements, KJZZ reports. Read more from the Wall Street Journal, Fox News and the News from New York on the political consequences of Florida’s African American history standards.
hot topics
Charter schools: A Leon County charter school found to be in default of its contract has been reorganized, including a new name and new directorreports the Tallahassee Democrat.
Football season: A new Palm Beach County high school set for a turf football field abruptly switched to turf, raising concerns about whether the project will be safe for students, reports the Palm Beach Post. • Florida A&M University suspended his football activities while investigating a rap video that was filmed in the locker room without permission, Bleacher Report reports.
Moms in politics: “Mama bears” who got involved with school issues during the pandemic could play a critical role in decide the 2024 elections, reports the Associated Press. • Brevard County School Board member Jennifer Jenkins is a mother fighting the culture warsthe Daily Beast reports.
School Supplies: Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday kicks off today. • Some schools and groups are giving away materials to families in need. An Orange County school provided students with books and backpacks, WKMG reports. A Duval County mom is sponsoring a back-to-school raffle in honor of his late sonWJXT reports.
Student Support: The Citrus County Education Foundation is seeking men mentor of high school students who lack positive male role models in their lives, the Citrus County Chronicle reports.
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