What books are appropriate for Florida schools? Two teachers seek clarity
The big story: As book challenges have increased across Florida, school officials have grappled with vague requirements and cautionary advice to “err on the side of caution.”
The resulting reactionary outcomes, including preemptive removal of titles and, in some cases, self-censorship have caused frustration among opponents of book bans and restrictions. They have criticized actions taken based on the objections of one person, and argued in favor of a more even-handed approach that takes all viewpoints into consideration.
Two Pinellas County former educators decided to push the point. They filed challenges to seven books that they acknowledge most people would not find objectionable. But they made what they admitted might be absurd concerns — not to get the books banned, but rather to spark a discussion about what the rules really mean.
“We wanted to highlight the slippery slope of the ambiguous language that is coming out of Tallahassee,” said Adam Graham, 49, a former English teacher at Pinellas Park High. Read more here.
In St. Lucie County, the School Board decided to keep 16 challenged titles in school libraries, TC Palm reports. At least eight of the books were removed during after complaints were filed. A crowd of nearly 200 attended the board meeting, with most urging the district to retain the materials.
Citizens Defending Freedom, a conservative group, announced it would challenge the use of the graphic novel “Assassination Classroom” in middle schools around Florida, WTVT reports. The group claims the book includes explicit violence and sex.
Hot topics
Board politics: The state Senate prepared to give final consideration to a bill asking voters to return to partisan school board races, Florida Phoenix reports. The House already has approved the measure.
Gender issues: Orange County students protested the school district’s decision to cancel a high school club’s “Donuts and Drag” event, WKMG reports.
Graduation rates: New concordant scores for Florida’s high school graduation test requirements have Bay County school officials worried that graduation rates will drop, WJHG reports. “You’re picking the wrong class to do this with,” said Bay District Schools Superintendent Bill Husfelt.
New College of Florida: Tallahassee Community College is the latest to enter an agreement guaranteeing certain graduates admission to the liberal arts school in Sarasota, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.
Safety and security: The Broward County School Board agreed to reimburse municipalities for unpaid resource officer expenses, WTVJ reports. • The Leon County School Board revised policy to now require parents be notified within 24 hours of the district learning an employee has been arrested, WCTV reports.
Superintendents: The Charlotte County school district narrowed its superintendent search to nine semifinalists, the Sun reports.
Vouchers: Pinellas County superintendent Kevin Hendrick said Florida’s new voucher expansion shouldn’t hurt school districts as long as the funding sources remain separate, WUSF reports.
Tallahassee action: A Florida House committee advanced legislation that would provide free menstrual hygiene products in schools, Florida Politics reports. • The committee also approved a bill to change the way school districts share state funds with charter schools, The Capitolist reports. • The Senate Rules Committee advanced a measure to prevent colleges and universities from having relationships with seven “foreign countries of concern,” Florida Politics reports.
Today in Tallahassee ... The House PreK-12 Appropriations subcommittee will consider HB 1125 on interstate education agreements when it meets at 10 a.m. • The Senate Education Appropriations subcommittee will consider eight bills including SB 1112 on school start times and SB 1424 on reading and math instruction when it meets at 11:30 a.m. • The House Appropriations Committee will consider HB 195 on education facilities as shelters and HB 1537 on graduation requirements when it meets at 3 p.m.
Other school news
About half of five-year-olds enter kindergarten unprepared. The Palm Beach County school district is giving every registered incoming kindergartner a special kit to help practice letters and numbers over the summer, WPTV reports.
Two Broward County School Board members face allegations of inappropriately touching students or staff. Their colleagues are reviewing the details before taking any action, but some residents are claiming the accusations are politically motivated, WPLG reports.
The Citrus County school district is asking the community to help two high school seniors. The students have bright but precarious futures that need transportation assistance to support themselves, the Citrus County Chronicle reports.
An Orange County teacher faced dismissal over accusations of using students as “political pawns.” The School Board rejected the superintendent’s recommendation, WESH reports.
The coach and assistant coach of a Lee County high school baseball team were fired after sending a text message to players that included a racial slur. Parents told the School Board it was just the tip of the iceberg in a dysfunctional season, WINK reports.
The University of South Florida’s Black Leadership Network aims to help Black students thrive at the predominantly white institution. It’s helped 127 students through to graduation over six years.
From the police blotter ... A teacher at a Miami-Dade County charter school was arrested on allegations of breaking a student’s arm, WTVJ reports.
Don’t miss a story. Yesterday’s roundup is just a click away.
Before you go ... Hard to believe this originally is a Guns N Roses hard rocker.
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