Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a new curriculum proposal on Wednesday that would prioritize civics and “expressly exclude” critical race theory.
“A high-quality education begins with a high-quality curriculum, which is why we’re going to be laser-focused on developing the best possible civics instruction standards,” DeSantis said at a press conference.
“Florida civics curriculum will incorporate foundational concepts with the best materials, and it will expressly exclude unsanctioned narratives like critical race theory and other unsubstantiated theories,” he added.
Gov. @RonDeSantisFL announces Florida’s curriculum will “expressly exclude…Critical Race Theory.”
“There’s no room in our classrooms for things like Critical Race Theory. Teaching kids to hate their country and to hate each other is not worth one red cent of taxpayer money.” pic.twitter.com/7y2b40GqDk
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 17, 2021
Leftist narratives that teach “kids to hate their country and to hate each other is not worth one red cent of taxpayer money,” DeSantis continued.
The state should instead invest in an “actual, solid, true curriculum” that will be a “leader in the development and implementation of a world-class civics education,” he said.
Critical race theory, which teaches that white Americans used racism to grab and maintain power, is “trying to make people view each other based on race,” DeSantis explained. Florida’s schools should do the opposite and “give people a foundation of knowledge.” They’re not supposed to be “indoctrination centers, where you’re trying to push specific ideologies,” he said.
DeSantis’s civics curriculum is being introduced to the state legislature, and the Florida Department of Education is also creating the Florida Civics Seal of Excellence, which will be a “new professional endorsement for civics education.” The state will also encourage teachers to become civics teachers by awarding them a $3,000 bonus.
