RON DESANTIS AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA'S VOODOO EDUCATION
If you thought Florida was just a land of sunshine, beaches, and alligators, think again. It's also the state where education has become a battleground for culture wars and political correctness. Yes, you heard it right. Florida is the state of education voodoo, where everything is either banned, censored, or sanitized to fit a conservative agenda.
Let's start with the basics. The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, is not your typical politician. He's more like a crusader on a mission to save America from the evils of critical race theory, woke ideology, and liberal indoctrination. In his view, these are the real threats to our society, not climate change, gun violence, or income inequality. And he's not afraid to use his power to make sure that Florida schools are safe from these dangerous ideas.
So what has DeSantis done so far? Well, he has signed a bunch of bills into law that restrict what can be taught in classrooms and who can teach it. For example:
- - The "Don't Say Gay" bill prohibits instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. Because we all know that kids at that age are too young to understand that some people are different from others and that it's okay to be yourself.
- - The "Stop WOKE" act prohibits instruction that makes students feel "guilt, anguish, or other forms of psychological distress" because of their race or sex. Because we all know that acknowledging racism and sexism is just a way to make people feel bad about themselves.
- - The "Individual Freedom" act prohibits state funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at public universities. Because we all know that promoting diversity and inclusion is just a way to brainwash students into becoming social justice warriors.
But wait, there's more. DeSantis has also appointed conservative members to the boards of education for Florida's public schools and universities. These appointees are likely to support his education policies and to roll back some of the progress that Florida has made in recent years in terms of racial equity and diversity.
So what does all of this mean for Florida students and teachers? Well, for starters, it means that they have to walk on eggshells when it comes to discussing sensitive topics like race, gender, and sexuality. They have to be careful not to offend anyone or risk being accused of promoting a "hateful" or "divisive" agenda. They also have to be prepared to face censorship or punishment if they dare to challenge the official narrative or express unpopular opinions.
But fear not, dear readers. There's still hope for Florida education. Despite DeSantis's best efforts, there are still some brave souls who are fighting back against the tyranny of political correctness and intellectual conformity. Here are some examples:
- - Some Florida schools are still offering AP Psychology classes, even though the state initially banned them for violating the law. Because we all know that learning about the human mind is just a way to brainwash students into becoming Freudian fanatics.
- - Some Central Florida schools require students to get parent permission to be called by a nickname. Because we all know that using a nickname is just a way to undermine authority and promote anarchy.
- - Some Florida counties are still teaching Shakespeare in full, despite new state rules that require them to teach it in excerpts only. Because we all know that Shakespeare is just a way to promote elitism and snobbery.
In conclusion, Florida may be the state of education voodoo, but it's also the state of resilience and humor. As long as there are people who are willing to stand up for free speech, critical thinking, and intellectual diversity, there's still hope for a brighter future. So let's keep fighting the good fight, one joke at a time. After all, laughter is the best medicine for a sick society.
Florida schools drop AP Psychology after state says it violates the law - The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/08/09/florida-schools-drop-ap-psychology-class/
Florida OKs AP Psychology, some local districts still opt for other curriculums - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voEvriQxSB4
Some Florida schools to require parent permission to use nicknames https://www.wesh.com/article/florida-schools-nicknames-permission/44766231
Florida county to teach Shakespeare in excerpts only under new state rules | The Hill https://thehill.com/homenews/education/4144479-florida-county-to-teach-shakespeare-in-excerpts-only-under-new-state-rules/
THE DEFT DIVE
FROM BARD AI
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been a vocal critic of what he sees as "woke" education in schools. He has signed a number of bills into law that restrict what can be taught in classrooms, including:
- * The **Parental Rights in Education Act**, also known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, prohibits instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.
- * The **Stop WOKE Act** prohibits instruction that makes students feel "guilt, anguish, or other forms of psychological distress" because of their race or sex.
- * The **Individual Freedom Act** prohibits state funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at public universities.
DeSantis has also appointed conservative members to the boards of education for Florida's public schools and universities. These appointees are likely to support his education policies and to roll back some of the progress that Florida has made in recent years in terms of racial equity and diversity.
DeSantis's education policies have been met with criticism from educators, parents, and civil rights groups. They argue that these policies are discriminatory and that they will harm students, especially students of color and LGBTQ+ students. They also argue that these policies are an attempt to control what teachers can teach and to censor important historical and social issues.
DeSantis has defended his education policies, arguing that they are necessary to protect children from "indoctrination" and to promote "parental rights." He has also said that he is not trying to censor teachers, but he wants to make sure that they are teaching "honest history" and not "indoctrination."
The debate over DeSantis's education policies is likely to continue in the years to come. It is a debate that is not just about education, but also about the role of government in society and the values that we want to teach our children.
Here are some additional details about the impact of DeSantis's education policies:
- * The Parental Rights in Education Act has led to a number of school districts banning books that deal with LGBTQ+ issues or race.
- * The Stop WOKE Act has made it more difficult for universities to offer diversity and inclusion trainings.
- * The Individual Freedom Act has led to a decline in the number of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at Florida universities.
- * DeSantis's appointments to the boards of education have led to a shift in the curriculum in Florida schools, with a focus on traditional values and a neglect of issues such as climate change and gun violence.
The impact of DeSantis's education policies is still unfolding, but it is clear that they are having a significant impact on the education system in Florida. It remains to be seen what the long-term effects of these policies will be.
FROM BING AI
The topic of Florida education and DeSantis's right-wing policy. I will try to provide you with a summary of the main issues and controversies that are happening in the state.
According to the web search results, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been pushing for a conservative agenda in the state's education system, which has sparked criticism and resistance from many educators, students, and parents. Some of the key aspects of his policy are:
- - **Banning critical race theory and other "woke" ideologies** from the curriculum. DeSantis has claimed that these topics are divisive and indoctrinate students with a "hateful" view of America. He has also proposed to defund diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and limit majors like gender studies in higher education¹³⁴.
- - **Expanding parental rights and school choice**. DeSantis has signed a law that gives parents more control over what their children learn at school, including the right to opt out of any lessons or materials they deem objectionable¹². He has also supported charter schools, private schools, and vouchers as alternatives to public education¹.
- - **Restricting academic freedom and faculty tenure**. DeSantis has proposed to survey students and faculty on their political views and beliefs, and to withhold funding from institutions that are deemed "hotbeds for stale ideology" or lack "intellectual diversity"¹². He has also suggested to limit tenure protections for faculty and make it easier to fire them for expressing unpopular opinions³.
- - **Promoting patriotic education and civic literacy**. DeSantis has advocated for teaching students about the "foundational principles" of America, such as the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights¹². He has also required students to pass a civics test before graduating high school, and to take a course on the "evils of communism and totalitarian ideologies" in college¹³.
- - **Opposing transgender rights and LGBTQ+ inclusion**. DeSantis has signed a bill that bans transgender athletes from participating in women's and girls' sports teams in public schools, arguing that it protects fairness and safety for female athletes¹². He has also supported a law that prohibits teachers from discussing sexuality and gender identity in grades K-12, which critics have called the "Don't Say Gay" bill¹⁴.
These are some of the main points of DeSantis's education policy, which he has been implementing with the support of the Republican-controlled legislature and the state Board of Education. However, his actions have also faced opposition from various groups, such as teachers' unions, civil rights organizations, student activists, and Democratic lawmakers. Some of them have challenged his policies in court, organized protests and rallies, launched campaigns and petitions, and called for more transparency and accountability from his administration¹²³⁴.
Bing, 8/9/2023
(1) What DeSantis is doing to Florida schools, explained - Vox. https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/23593369/ron-desantis-florida-schools-higher-education-woke.
(2) Ron DeSantis threatens academic freedom in Florida with these new ... - Vox. https://www.vox.com/policy/2023/6/2/23742508/ron-desantis-florida-higher-education-ideological-war.
(3) Right-Wing Attacks on Education and Student Expression. https://www.americanoversight.org/investigation/right-wing-attacks-on-education-and-student-expression.
(4) Ron DeSantis is pushing education in Florida much further right. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/01/19/desantis-florida-education-right-wing/.
(5) PragerU in Florida Schools: The controversial curriculum, explained. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/08/01/prageru-curriculum-florida-schools/70505340007/.
