FLORIDA'S NEW VOODOO EDUCATION LAWS TURNS ATTORNEYS INTO DODO BIRDS
In a move that has left attorneys scratching their heads and educators running for cover, Florida has implemented a series of new education laws that are so bizarre and convoluted, they make Governor DeSantis' failing woke campaign for president look like a model of clarity and coherence.
The new laws, which include the Stop Woke Act and the Parental Rights in Education law, have caused confusion and frustration among attorneys, who are struggling to interpret the laws and provide guidance to their clients, including schools and educators.
One of the main areas of confusion is the definition of "critical race theory," which is prohibited in Florida schools under the Stop Woke Act. The law does not define critical race theory, and attorneys have different interpretations of what it means. This has led to concerns about how teachers can avoid teaching critical race theory without also avoiding other important topics, such as history and social studies.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg. The Parental Rights in Education law is even more confusing. It gives parents more control over their children's education, but prohibits schools from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity with students in kindergarten through third grade. It also requires schools to obtain parental permission before providing any counseling or health services related to sexual orientation or gender identity.
Attorneys are struggling to interpret how these provisions will apply in practice. For example, they are unsure whether the law prohibits teachers from answering students' questions about sexual orientation and gender identity. They are also unsure whether the law requires schools to obtain parental permission before providing any counseling or health services related to these topics, even if the student is already seeing a counselor or receiving health services without parental consent.
The confusion caused by Florida's new education laws has led to a climate of fear and uncertainty among educators. Many teachers are worried about saying or doing anything that could lead to a lawsuit from a parent. This has stifled academic freedom and made it difficult for teachers to provide students with a comprehensive education.
To make matters worse, the state has provided little guidance on how to implement these new laws. Attorneys have been left scrambling to interpret the laws on their own, leading to a patchwork of different approaches across the state.
In one email exchange obtained by the Miami Herald, an attorney asked the state whether the Stop Woke Act applies to teachers' classroom libraries. The state responded that it did not know. In another email, an attorney asked for a "step-by-step" process on how school media centers and specialists should approve and adopt new books under the Stop Woke Act. The state again responded that it did not know.
The lack of clear guidance from the state has left attorneys and educators scratching their heads and wondering what to do next.
But fear not, Floridians! We have come up with some hilarious solutions to these confusing new laws.
First, let's tackle the Stop Woke Act. Since the law doesn't define what critical race theory is, we suggest that teachers just teach everything in code. For example, instead of saying "critical race theory," they can say "that thing we can't talk about." Instead of teaching history, they can teach "the thing that happened a long time ago that we can't mention specifically."
As for the Parental Rights in Education law, we suggest that schools just hand out permission slips for everything. Want to teach students about sexual orientation? Have them sign a permission slip. Want to give them health services related to gender identity? Have them sign another permission slip. Want to give them a pencil? You guessed it - have them sign a permission slip.
And if all else fails, just teach your students how to cast spells and perform voodoo rituals. That way, you can avoid talking about anything controversial altogether.
In all seriousness, though, these new education laws are a disaster. They stifle academic freedom, create confusion and fear among educators, and make it difficult for students to receive a comprehensive education. It's time for Florida to provide clear guidance on how these laws should be implemented so that educators can feel confident teaching and students can receive the education they deserve.
Until then, we'll just keep practicing our voodoo spells.
Florida school attorneys confused over new education laws | Miami Herald https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article279605704.html
Lawyers struggle to advise Florida schools on books https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2023/09/25/lawyers-struggle-advise-florida-schools-books/
THE DEFT DIVE
FROM BARD AI
Florida's new education laws, including the Stop Woke Act and the Parental Rights in Education law, have caused confusion and frustration among attorneys, according to a report by the Miami Herald.
The report, which is based on emails obtained through public records requests, shows that attorneys are struggling to interpret the new laws and provide guidance to their clients, including schools and educators.
One of the main areas of confusion is the definition of "critical race theory," which is prohibited in Florida schools under the Stop Woke Act. The law does not define critical race theory, and attorneys have different interpretations of what it means. This has led to concerns about how teachers can avoid teaching critical race theory without also avoiding other important topics, such as history and social studies.
Another area of confusion is the Parental Rights in Education law, which gives parents more control over their children's education. The law prohibits schools from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity with students in kindergarten through third grade. It also requires schools to obtain parental permission before providing any counseling or health services related to sexual orientation or gender identity.
Attorneys are struggling to interpret how these provisions will apply in practice. For example, they are unsure whether the law prohibits teachers from answering students' questions about sexual orientation and gender identity. They are also unsure whether the law requires schools to obtain parental permission before providing any counseling or health services related to these topics, even if the student is already seeing a counselor or receiving health services without parental consent.
The confusion caused by Florida's new education laws has led to a climate of fear and uncertainty among educators. Many teachers are worried about saying or doing anything that could lead to a lawsuit from a parent. This has stifled academic freedom and made it difficult for teachers to provide students with a comprehensive education.
Here are some specific examples of the confusion that attorneys have expressed about Florida's new education laws:
- * In one email, an attorney asked the state whether the Stop Woke Act applies to teachers' classroom libraries. The state responded that it did not know.
- * In another email, an attorney asked the state for a "step-by-step" process on how school media centers and specialists should approve and adopt new books under the Stop Woke Act. The state again responded that it did not know.
- * In a third email, an attorney asked the state what a teacher should do "from start to finish" before suggesting a book to students. The state responded that the teacher should consult with their media specialist and principal.
- * In a fourth email, an attorney asked the state how much time media specialists should have to review books before they can be made available to students. The state responded that there was no specific time requirement.
The lack of clear guidance from the state has left attorneys and educators scrambling to interpret the new laws on their own. This has led to a patchwork of different approaches across the state, with some schools being more cautious than others.
The confusion caused by Florida's new education laws is having a negative impact on students. Teachers are afraid to teach important topics, and students are missing out on a well-rounded education. It is important for the state to provide clear guidance on how these laws should be implemented so that educators can feel confident teaching and students can receive the education they deserve.
FROM BING AI
Confusion over Florida’s new education laws:
Florida's new education laws, which took effect on July 1, 2023, have caused confusion and frustration among school district attorneys who are tasked with advising school leaders on how to comply with them. The laws include House Bill 1467, which requires districts to post online the instructional materials used in classrooms and library media centers, and to allow parents to challenge any materials they deem inappropriate or harmful to minors; Senate Bill 1054, which requires districts to provide financial literacy instruction in public schools; and Senate Bill 1048, which reduces the number of state-mandated student assessments.
According to email exchanges obtained by the Miami Herald⁵, the attorneys have raised many questions and concerns about the interpretation and implementation of these laws, especially HB 1467, which has been dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" law by critics. Some of the issues they discussed include:
- - The definition of "library media centers", which was clarified by the State Board of Education in October 2022 to include classroom libraries⁵. This means that teachers have to follow the same procedures as media specialists when selecting books for their students, and that parents can challenge any books available in classrooms.
- - The criteria for determining whether a book is "pornographic" or "harmful to minors", which are not clearly defined in the law⁵. The attorneys debated whether the mere mention of certain words, such as "sex", "gay", or "transgender", would make a book subject to challenge, or whether the book should be evaluated as a whole for its literary, artistic, political, or scientific value⁹.
- - The process for reviewing and approving instructional materials, which requires a school district employee with a valid educational media specialist certificate to select books for students, regardless of whether they are purchased, donated, or "otherwise made available" to students⁵. The attorneys wondered what this phrase meant, and whether it applied to book fairs held on school grounds⁵.
- - The resources and time needed to comply with the law, which imposes additional workload and costs on districts⁵. The attorneys asked whether there would be additional funds or staff to review materials, how much time media specialists have to review materials, and how to protect staff from legal challenges or public backlash⁵.
The email exchanges also show that the attorneys have received little guidance from the state Department of Education on how to interpret and implement the new laws. They relied on memoranda from Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran and State Board of Education rules for some clarification, but they also expressed frustration and uncertainty about the lack of details and consistency from the state⁵. They also advised school districts to err on the side of caution and remove or restrict any books that could potentially trigger a challenge or controversy⁵.
The new education laws have also sparked criticism and resistance from some educators, parents, students, and advocacy groups, who argue that they infringe on academic freedom, diversity, equity, and inclusion. They have launched campaigns to oppose book bans and censorship, and to support teachers and librarians who face pressure from the state and some parents⁷. Some have also filed lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the laws⁷.
The impact of the new education laws on Florida's public education system is still unfolding, but it is clear that they have created confusion and frustration among school district attorneys who are trying to advise school leaders on how to comply with them. The email exchanges reveal some of the challenges and dilemmas they face in interpreting and implementing the laws, as well as the lack of guidance and support from the state. The new education laws have also sparked controversy and opposition from various stakeholders who are concerned about their effects on students' learning and well-being.
Bing, 9/25/2023
- (1) Florida school attorneys confused over new education laws | Miami Herald. https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article279605704.html.
- (2) Lawyers struggle to advise Florida schools on books - Tampa Bay Times. https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2023/09/25/lawyers-struggle-advise-florida-schools-books/.
- (3) Book bans surged across the US in 2023. Florida was the blueprint. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/book-bans-surged-across-the-us-in-2023-florida-was-the-blueprint/ar-AA1h7dXL.
- (4) These are the Florida education bills that will become law on July 1 .... https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/education/2023-06-27/florida-education-bills-law-july-1.
- (5) Here are the new rules in effect as students return to Florida schools .... https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/education/2023-08-10/school-starts-florida-new-rules-in-effect.
- (6) Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Historic Bill to Protect ... - Florida Governor. https://www.flgov.com/2022/03/28/governor-ron-desantis-signs-historic-bill-to-protect-parental-rights-in-education/.
- (7) Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Bill to Reform Higher Education in Florida. https://www.flgov.com/2022/04/19/governor-ron-desantis-signs-bill-to-reform-higher-education-in-florida/.
- (8) What not to wear at school? A Florida district wavers amid confusion.. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/what-not-to-wear-at-school-a-florida-district-wavers-amid-confusion/ar-AA1gBdle.
- (9) Email exchanges show attorneys’ confusion and frustration over Florida .... https://news.yahoo.com/email-exchanges-show-attorneys-confusion-093000663.html.
