Florida educators, students are expressed against curriculum changes

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(Tallahassee, FL) – Educators, students and defenders of the Florida Higher Education System spoke on Monday against the recent dismissal of hundreds of general education courses that touch on race, sex and sexual orientation, calling for “censorship” restrictions during a webinar organized by the United Faculty of Florida Union.

“I have chosen to continue a career in education to engage students in critical thinking, adaptability and global skills – of skills essential to success and societal contribution,” said Jeniah Jones, professor of Florida State College of Jacksonville. “The restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion in the program … undermine this mission by shrinking the understanding of students of the world and their role in it.”

Educators also argue that the limitation of general education options can also make students more difficult to meet their general education requirements.

A list of directives and political changes from the Governor of Florida Ron Desantis and the Council of State of the Florida Council of Governors in recent years has changed the landscape around what colleges and universities can say on the race , politics, sex and sexual orientation.

Desantis signed SB 266 in 2023, which prohibits universities from spending state or federal funds to promote, support or maintain programs or campus activities related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Desantis praised the legislation at the time, saying in a press release: “Florida ranked n ° 1 in higher education for seven consecutive years, and by signing this legislation, we ensure that the institutions of the Florida encourage the diversity of thought, civilian discourse and discourse and civilian discourse and civilian discourse and the continuation of the truth for the generations to come. »»

SB 266 has changed a state law forcing universities to go through an intensified examination process to ensure that their general education offers are in accordance with restrictions.

Schools are unable to offer courses that include “identity policy” or “based on theories according to which systemic racism, sexism, oppression and privileges are inherent in states institutions -Unis and were created to maintain social, political and economic inequalities, “according to the status of Florida.

At the Florida State University, at least 432 courses in the college’s general study program were partially abolished due to the rules, according to the minutes of the board of directors.

The ABC First Coast News affiliate reported in November 2024 that the University of Northern Florida had abolished 67 courses from the list of general training options of the university.

FSU told ABC News that courses would be offered as a choice instead of being able to meet the requirements of general education. Done to declared to First Coast News in the same way, that the courses will always be offered and available as a choice of choice.

The Council of Governors of the State of State system has also limited the financing of the State to diversity, actions and initiatives of inclusion, including “political or social activism”.

The Florida Education Commissioner, Manny Diaz, Jr. had applauded this decision: “Higher education must return to its essential foundations of academic integrity and the continuation of knowledge instead of being corrupt by destructive ideologies. “

Marsilla Gray, Ph.D. of the University of Southern Florida. A graduate student and assistant, said the teachers lose freedom to discuss “not only of the latest research in a deep and impartial way, but also the ability to connect the way these results are linked to our society as a function of These changes.

“This has a direct impact on the preparation of students for young scientists who wish to switch to careers as researchers, doctors and educators, but also for non-Vesiges, for whom their rare publishers of natural sciences can be their The only exposure to the scientific scientific scientific scientific assessment of declarations and linking this to what they learn in their social sciences and human sciences, “she said during the Monday call.

Robert Cassanello, professor of history at the University of Florida Centrale, said that the restrictions recall the past pressures of political groups – including religious prohibitions on the teachings of evolution or anthropology as well as prohibitions of The Cold War on the discussion of communism or socialism.

“When the Legislative Assembly tried to interfere with the study program, it has never produced good results,” said Cassanello, during the press call.

Leah Sauceda, a student from Florida State University, said that a general training requirement on Latin American history led her to seek a history diploma as well as an adult in international affairs.

“My courses have helped me realize that the study of history does not concern the past, as contradictory as it may seem, but it is rather a tool to understand how the past is inextricably linked to the current and possible future “She said on Monday call. “History helps us understand the world and our place. It is heartbreaking to think that the same transformative opportunity that I may have withdrawn from future students because the Governors’ Council prefers that history would ignore rather than learn from lessons. »»

Calls against Dei’s moves in higher education are involved while President Donald Trump implements anti-dei restrictions at the federal level via several decrees.

The Governors’ Council refused the request for comments from ABC News.