Florida plans to ‘curb’ diversity efforts at colleges, universities, Nunez says
Divya Kumar, Tampa Bay Times
Tue, January 24, 2023
Florida will be looking to “curb” diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the state’s colleges and universities, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez said Tuesday, offering a preview of what higher education leaders can expect from lawmakers during the upcoming legislative session.
Her statements, delivered at a state Board of Governors meeting in Miami, marked the first time the DeSantis administration has explained why its budget office this month requested a detailed accounting of how much colleges and universities spend on such efforts.
“I can give you a few insights as to what we’re working on coming this session,” Nunez said before mentioning a statement last week from the presidents of Florida’s 28 state colleges. It pledged to root out any policy or practice that “compels belief in critical race theory or related concepts.” The lieutenant governor then suggested that effort would soon extend to the state’s 12 universities.
“I believe (the colleges are) looking at ways to curb those initiatives, and I think we’ll look at ways to more broadly curb those initiatives as well,” she said.
In a speech that earlier praised the university system for its high rankings and relatively low student debt, Nunez said “real forces” were “undermining the good work taking place” at the state schools.
“These new threats that are creeping and taking hold are things that we need to face,” she said. “I believe one of the biggest threats that’s infiltrating our universities is a permeating culture — one might call it woke culture, one might call it woke ideology, one might call it identity politics.... We don’t need to get into all the names, but I do believe that some of these issues are taking hold. The policies they advocate are based on hate and based on indoctrination.”
Nunez also previewed proposals to review general education courses and give university presidents more control over faculty hiring.
“We want to further empower our presidents to make sure that they own the responsibility of hiring individuals to work in their campuses and make sure it stays in the hands of the leader of the institution more so than in hidden hiring practices and faculty committees,” she said.
The legislative session begins March 7.
In their responses to the governor’s budget office, the 12 public universities said they collectively are spending about $34.5 million this year on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. About $20.7 million came from state funds.
The University of South Florida reported the highest expenses at $8.7 million, though only $2.5 million came from state funds. Money was spent on initiatives such the university’s supplier diversity program; non-mandatory trainings; a list of 10 courses including “Theatre Appreciation” and “Language in the USA;” and funding for its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Florida A&M University had the highest amount of state funds used at $4.1 million. The school’s expenses included a research center and museum for Black archives and its Center for Environmental Equity and Justice, created by the Legislature in 1998.
Shortly after those responses were submitted, the governor’s budget office sent out a second request requiring universities to report details on any procedures and treatments they had offered related to gender affirming care since 2018. The request did not specify how the information would be used.
Divya Kumar is a higher education reporter for the Tampa Bay Times, in partnership with Open Campus.
'Black history is not inferior': Black leaders object to Florida's 'culture war against African Americans'
Marc Ramirez and Douglas Soule, USA TODAY
Tue, January 24, 2023 at 9:03 AM MST·6 min read
Black religious leaders, including the man who said the closing prayer at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ first inauguration, sent a message to the state Monday over its rejection of the College Board's new AP African American Studies course.
"Black history is not inferior, and Black history does not lack educational value," said Rev. Dr. R.B. Holmes Jr., pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee, a former Republican.
In a letter earlier this month, the Florida Department of Education told the College Board – which creates and oversees Advanced Placement courses and exams as well as the SAT and other standardized tests – its African American studies course “significantly lacks educational value."
“In the future, should College Board be willing to come back to the table with lawful, historically accurate content, FDOE will always be willing to reopen the discussion,” the letter said.
The letter also called the course “inexplicably contrary to Florida law" but did not explain how.
Holmes and the others gathered Monday in Tallahassee promised additional protests and rallies, including one later this week set to include civil rights attorney Ben Crump and another next month featuring the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Opinion: Ron DeSantis is fulfilling his promise to oust the 'woke mob.' Is he taking it too far?
They also cited a litany of frustrations some Black leaders have voiced with the DeSantis administration.
Rev. Dr. Joseph Wright, pastor of Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, spoke about DeSantis’ decision to get rid of two Black-led congressional delegations. Tallahassee Commissioner Curtis Richardson decried the governor’s “culture war against African Americans.” Richardson accused him of voter suppression and blasted school voucher extensions that he said would destroy public education.
“We’re here today to tell the governor we’re not going to stand by and just let these things happen to African Americans in our state,” Richardson said.
Holmes said the group aims to create a statewide movement, one he hoped would spark positive conversations about the value of “learning about all people’s history, and not at the expense of erasing and eliminating Black studies.” Holmes became an independent after taking issue with the governor’s handling of COVID-19 – such as penalizing mask mandates.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs his "Stop Woke" bill in last year.
People protest outside the offices of the New Mexico Public Education Department's office in 2021 after the education department proposed changes to the social studies curriculum that critics describe as a veiled attempt to teach critical race theory. Supporters say the new curriculum, which includes ethnic studies, is "anti-racist."More
The course emerges in the midst of a national clash over the teaching of race-related curriculum and battles over critical race theory, a concept examining how racism permeates American institutions. The concept isn’t traditionally taught in public schools, but the legacy of slavery is.
More: First AP African American Studies class to be offered in some high schools this fall
The White House criticized Florida's rejection of the course Friday.
“It is incomprehensible,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, responding to a question by USA TODAY. “Let’s be clear. They didn’t block AP European history. They didn’t block our art history. They didn’t block our music history.”
"When you think about the study of Black Americans, that is what he wants to block," she said.
‘Incomprehensible’: White House slams DeSantis administration for rejecting AP Black studies
Last week, after the state's letter to College Board became public, Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. shared a list of ways the course violates Florida law on Twitter.
The list cites references in the AP course to movements for Black lives, Black queer studies and the reparations movement.
"Despite the lies from the Biden White House, Florida rejected an AP course filled with Critical Race Theory and other obvious violations of Florida law," he said in his tweet. "We proudly require the teaching of African American history. We do not accept woke indoctrination masquerading as education."
How did the College Board respond?
In outlining its standards for Advanced Placement courses on its website, the College Board said it opposes both censorship and indoctrination, adding that such courses are designed to "foster an open-minded approach" while enabling students "to develop as independent thinkers and to draw their own conclusions."
In response to Florida's letter, the College Board noted that as with all new AP courses, its African American Studies course is being subjected to "a rigorous multi-year pilot phase" in which feedback is collected from teachers, students, scholars and policymakers.
"We will publicly release the updated course framework when it is completed and well before this class is widely available in American high schools," the College Board said. "We look forward to bringing this rich and inspiring exploration of African-American history and culture to students across the country."
More: Schools are becoming hotbeds of political conflict – especially in purple districts
How are some parents reacting?
In a statement, the National Parents Union said it was outraged by Florida’s rejection of the course, particularly its timing: within a week of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“Make no mistake: This is a direct attack on the Black and all BIPOC communities,” the union said. “… This behavior is dangerous and should concern every American.”
Nehemiah Frank, publisher of the Black Wall Street Times and the union’s founding delegate, said it would challenge the move.
“We will fight for the right of all children to learn the truth – and turn this into an opportunity to teach our children what it looks like to confront and organize against white supremacy,” Frank said.
Contributing: Kathryn Varn, Tallahassee Democrat
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Black leaders object to Florida, DeSantis rejecting proposed AP course
Marc Ramirez and Douglas Soule, USA TODAY
Tue, January 24, 2023 at 9:03 AM MST·6 min read
Black religious leaders, including the man who said the closing prayer at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ first inauguration, sent a message to the state Monday over its rejection of the College Board's new AP African American Studies course.
"Black history is not inferior, and Black history does not lack educational value," said Rev. Dr. R.B. Holmes Jr., pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee, a former Republican.
In a letter earlier this month, the Florida Department of Education told the College Board – which creates and oversees Advanced Placement courses and exams as well as the SAT and other standardized tests – its African American studies course “significantly lacks educational value."
“In the future, should College Board be willing to come back to the table with lawful, historically accurate content, FDOE will always be willing to reopen the discussion,” the letter said.
The letter also called the course “inexplicably contrary to Florida law" but did not explain how.
Holmes and the others gathered Monday in Tallahassee promised additional protests and rallies, including one later this week set to include civil rights attorney Ben Crump and another next month featuring the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Opinion: Ron DeSantis is fulfilling his promise to oust the 'woke mob.' Is he taking it too far?
They also cited a litany of frustrations some Black leaders have voiced with the DeSantis administration.
Rev. Dr. Joseph Wright, pastor of Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, spoke about DeSantis’ decision to get rid of two Black-led congressional delegations. Tallahassee Commissioner Curtis Richardson decried the governor’s “culture war against African Americans.” Richardson accused him of voter suppression and blasted school voucher extensions that he said would destroy public education.
“We’re here today to tell the governor we’re not going to stand by and just let these things happen to African Americans in our state,” Richardson said.
Holmes said the group aims to create a statewide movement, one he hoped would spark positive conversations about the value of “learning about all people’s history, and not at the expense of erasing and eliminating Black studies.” Holmes became an independent after taking issue with the governor’s handling of COVID-19 – such as penalizing mask mandates.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs his "Stop Woke" bill in last year.
Rejection part of DeSantis' reshaping of Florida education system
DeSantis, a potential 2024 presidential candidate, has spent much of his time in office reshaping the state’s education system and fighting against what he calls “woke” politics, signing bills restricting the discussion of race, gender and sexual orientation in schools.
More: DeSantis aims to create 'Hillsdale of the south' with conservative overhaul of a Florida college's board
Such efforts have been embraced and parroted by Republican leaders and candidates across the country and by parent groups such as Moms for Liberty, a group born of frustrations over mask and vaccine mandates that has tapped concerns about “parental rights” and “indoctrination” of kids to gain influence while inspiring armies of moms nationwide to take up its crusade.
On Monday, DeSantis spoke publicly about the state's rejection for the first time. He said the state is blocking the course because it included the study of “queer theory” and political movements that advocated for “abolishing prisons.”
“That’s a political agenda,” DeSantis said during a press conference. “That’s the wrong side of the line for Florida standards. We believe in teaching kids facts and how to think, but we don’t believe they should have an agenda imposed on them when you try to use Black history to shoehorn in queer theory, you are clearly trying to use that for political purposes.”
What is the AP African American Studies course?
The College Board’s AP African American Studies class has been in the works for more than 10 years and launched as a pilot this school year, debuting at 60 high schools across the country.
Additional high schools will have the chance to offer it during the 2023-24 school year, and the course will be available at all schools the following year, the College Board has said.
DeSantis, a potential 2024 presidential candidate, has spent much of his time in office reshaping the state’s education system and fighting against what he calls “woke” politics, signing bills restricting the discussion of race, gender and sexual orientation in schools.
More: DeSantis aims to create 'Hillsdale of the south' with conservative overhaul of a Florida college's board
Such efforts have been embraced and parroted by Republican leaders and candidates across the country and by parent groups such as Moms for Liberty, a group born of frustrations over mask and vaccine mandates that has tapped concerns about “parental rights” and “indoctrination” of kids to gain influence while inspiring armies of moms nationwide to take up its crusade.
On Monday, DeSantis spoke publicly about the state's rejection for the first time. He said the state is blocking the course because it included the study of “queer theory” and political movements that advocated for “abolishing prisons.”
“That’s a political agenda,” DeSantis said during a press conference. “That’s the wrong side of the line for Florida standards. We believe in teaching kids facts and how to think, but we don’t believe they should have an agenda imposed on them when you try to use Black history to shoehorn in queer theory, you are clearly trying to use that for political purposes.”
What is the AP African American Studies course?
The College Board’s AP African American Studies class has been in the works for more than 10 years and launched as a pilot this school year, debuting at 60 high schools across the country.
Additional high schools will have the chance to offer it during the 2023-24 school year, and the course will be available at all schools the following year, the College Board has said.
People protest outside the offices of the New Mexico Public Education Department's office in 2021 after the education department proposed changes to the social studies curriculum that critics describe as a veiled attempt to teach critical race theory. Supporters say the new curriculum, which includes ethnic studies, is "anti-racist."More
The course emerges in the midst of a national clash over the teaching of race-related curriculum and battles over critical race theory, a concept examining how racism permeates American institutions. The concept isn’t traditionally taught in public schools, but the legacy of slavery is.
More: First AP African American Studies class to be offered in some high schools this fall
The White House criticized Florida's rejection of the course Friday.
“It is incomprehensible,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, responding to a question by USA TODAY. “Let’s be clear. They didn’t block AP European history. They didn’t block our art history. They didn’t block our music history.”
"When you think about the study of Black Americans, that is what he wants to block," she said.
‘Incomprehensible’: White House slams DeSantis administration for rejecting AP Black studies
Last week, after the state's letter to College Board became public, Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. shared a list of ways the course violates Florida law on Twitter.
The list cites references in the AP course to movements for Black lives, Black queer studies and the reparations movement.
"Despite the lies from the Biden White House, Florida rejected an AP course filled with Critical Race Theory and other obvious violations of Florida law," he said in his tweet. "We proudly require the teaching of African American history. We do not accept woke indoctrination masquerading as education."
How did the College Board respond?
In outlining its standards for Advanced Placement courses on its website, the College Board said it opposes both censorship and indoctrination, adding that such courses are designed to "foster an open-minded approach" while enabling students "to develop as independent thinkers and to draw their own conclusions."
In response to Florida's letter, the College Board noted that as with all new AP courses, its African American Studies course is being subjected to "a rigorous multi-year pilot phase" in which feedback is collected from teachers, students, scholars and policymakers.
"We will publicly release the updated course framework when it is completed and well before this class is widely available in American high schools," the College Board said. "We look forward to bringing this rich and inspiring exploration of African-American history and culture to students across the country."
More: Schools are becoming hotbeds of political conflict – especially in purple districts
How are some parents reacting?
In a statement, the National Parents Union said it was outraged by Florida’s rejection of the course, particularly its timing: within a week of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“Make no mistake: This is a direct attack on the Black and all BIPOC communities,” the union said. “… This behavior is dangerous and should concern every American.”
Nehemiah Frank, publisher of the Black Wall Street Times and the union’s founding delegate, said it would challenge the move.
“We will fight for the right of all children to learn the truth – and turn this into an opportunity to teach our children what it looks like to confront and organize against white supremacy,” Frank said.
Contributing: Kathryn Varn, Tallahassee Democrat
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Black leaders object to Florida, DeSantis rejecting proposed AP course
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