A Florida school, iPrep Academy in Miami, reportedly requested parental approval for students to attend Black History Month events. According to WPLG, they allowed parents to decide whether their children would take part in February’s Black Month History activities.
The activities include classroom-based and schoolwide presentations that aim to “showcase and recognize the rich and diverse traditions, histories, and innumerable contributions of the Black Communities.” Jill Peeling, one parent, expressed her shock to the local news station.
She mentioned that she was taken aback by the form, which offered parents the option to withdraw their children from classes focusing on Black accomplishments. “I’m concerned as a citizen,” adding that she initially thought she didn’t understand the form.
Steve Gallon, a representative of the Florida school board, informed WPLG that the school’s policy aligns with a new state board regulation. Moreover, it is an extension of the Parents’ Bill of Rights.
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Gallon told the local news station, “We must follow the law. Something feels very off here, and the fact that the school needs to cover themselves against the state feels even worse.” The Florida Department of Education, responding to Business Insider, dismissed the narrative as a “media-driven lie.”
The statement emphasized, “Any insinuation that students need permission to study African American history is absolutely force.” Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida turned the state’s schools into battlegrounds for cultural conflicts. He enacted measures that included prohibiting the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity and regulating pronoun usage.
Additionally, his administration introduced laws that ban certain books and initiatives promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity at universities. DeSantis portrayed these actions as a campaign against “woke” ideologies and an effort to promote parental rights.
However, critics argue that his moves infringe upon academic freedom and human rights. Marvin Dunn, a professor at Florida International University specializing in school practices and race relations, expressed concern to WPLG. Additionally, he emphasized that decisions like the recent one could be dangerous.
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He further highlighted the potential for “unequal learning” among students regarding Black History due to these decisions. He linked the move to Governor DeSantis’ broader agenda, characterizing it as an assault on education.
Dunn said the actions could “make teachers more cautious about what they teach, and it’s working.” Notably, despite Business Insider’s request for comment, the Florida school, iPrep Academy, did not respond immediately.
In 2022, the Miami-Dade School Board allowed members to vote against officially recognizing October as LGBTQ+ History Month. During this time, university of Miami professor Alberto Cairo said the vote seemed like an attempt to “distort” the truth. However, the board maintained its stance against LGBTQ+ celebrations in 2023.
According to WPLG, an extension was added to the bill in November. This expanded parental rights in education, mainly when external presenters came to provide instructions on school property. Finally, WPLG reported that a committee hearing will address the issue of Black History Month and the need for permission slips in the Florida school.
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