New Florida teaching standards say African Americans received some ‘personal benefit’ from slavery
Florida education officials unanimously approved new standards for teaching African American history in response to Governor Ron DeSantis’ “anti-woke” policies. Critics, including the state’s largest teachers union, argued that the curriculum provided an incomplete and whitewashed view of history. However, state officials defended the updated curriculum, asserting that it covers the full spectrum of American history, including its darkest aspects.
The new standards were designed to align with Florida’s controversial 2022 law that regulates how race is taught in schools. This law aimed to protect students and workers from being made to feel guilt or distress based on their race, and it required teaching about infringements of freedoms related to sexism, slavery, racial oppression, segregation, and discrimination in an age-appropriate manner.
Opponents of the new standards claimed that some essential topics were “aged up” and “watered down” for older students. Specific points of contention included instruction about how slaves developed skills for personal benefit and lessons on violence involving African Americans.
Critics also voiced concerns about how Black history is presented to younger students, mainly focusing on recognition of Black inventors, explorers, and artists. State board members and officials defended the standards, stating that they do not portray slavery as beneficial and emphasized that the curriculum covers the darkest aspects of American history.
Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. criticized the Florida Education Association union for opposing the standards without providing substantive reasons. Florida’s Republican leaders have clashed with teachers’ unions in the past, leading to further tensions.
It’s worth noting that Florida is currently unable to enforce its anti-woke law in colleges and universities due to a federal lawsuit. Additionally, the state had a dispute with the nonprofit College Board over the content of its African American studies AP program, which the state initially rejected.
