Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law on May 2 banning “indoctrination” programmes for teachers.
The measure, HB 1291, prohibits programmes, courses, and curricula in teacher training from “distorting” historical events or promoting political ideologies regarding race, sex, and gender.
Accredited postsecondary institutions can seek Florida Department of Education approval to create institutes to educate teachers on improving classroom instruction and meeting requirements for certification or recertification.
They can also seek approval for instruction on educating existing and potential substitute teachers on how to perform classroom duties and to teach those with baccalaureate degrees how to become certified.
However, teacher preparation, training, and certification programmes will not be allowed to teach “identity politics” or to make claims that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, or white privilege are inherent in America’s culture.
In addition, Gov. DeSantis’s office said in a statement that he is working with Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office to safeguard Florida’s workforce from being subjected to ideological discrimination and harassment.
