| When Ron DeSantis first ran for Florida governor in 2018, he didn't have much of an education platform to speak of. He floated a few ideas, such as teaching children more about the U.S. Constitution and spending more money directly in classrooms. He also called for a review of textbooks for bias, at the time aiming to eliminate anti-Israel views. Few had him pegged as someone who would make the issue a centerpiece of his political plans. One election cycle later, DeSantis allies have begun calling him Florida's education governor, as he hammers away almost daily at both K-12 and post-secondary institutions. And he's making gains with his agenda that's celebrated by some Floridians and reviled by others.
— Jeffrey S. Solochek, jsolochek@tampabay.com |
| [Gov. Ron Desantis Facebook Live] |
| Gov. Ron DeSantis seeks winning hand in Florida education policy |
| As Florida lawmakers gathered Monday for another week of committee meetings, DeSantis appeared at a Jacksonville charter school to outline some of his latest education policy goals.
He called for more money for teacher raises, touting his past efforts to bolster minimum educator pay and saying more should now go to classroom veterans. That proposal segued into a broadside against unions, which he contended stand in the way of teachers and their money, and school boards, some of which he said have forced teachers to decide between keeping their jobs and following the law. To push back, DeSantis proposed a series of actions to pin back the unions, such as prohibiting them from going through school districts to collect member dues. He also suggested creating rules that would pressure collective bargaining by setting a deadline to use or lose the state-funded teacher salary categorical funds.
He targeted school boards, too, calling for shorter term limits and a return to partisan elections. That way, DeSantis said, voters who support his agenda will know which candidates support him. The governor said he would ask lawmakers to advance these and other ideas during their two-month spring session. He spoke with the confidence of someone who fully expected them to follow through. If the past few weeks offer any indication, DeSantis appears to have little to worry about. Despite an onslaught of criticism from opponents, the governor has been getting what he wants with scant pushback from the schools.
In the K-12 world, DeSantis and his allies have demanded the elimination of what they call "woke" ideology. He sparked a nationwide controversy with decision barring the teaching of AP African American studies, for instance, claiming it promoted a political agenda rather than teaching facts — a view the course authors rejected. Library books have become a target for the right's fight, with the State Board of Education adopting new restrictive rules on what materials may appear on school shelves. Opponents have pointed out that the state is applying rules about instruction to the books that children are not assigned but might wish to read. Schools, fearful of sanctions, have started to restrict access to titles. After watching DeSantis remove officials from office, and his administration impose fines against districts that don't follow the rules, the districts haven't argued much as they go along. The same has appeared true in higher education. The DeSantis administration instructed universities and colleges to provide information about their diversity and inclusion programs, with the message that the state will be closely watching them for signs that they promote what the governor has called "trendy ideologies." Some students and professors pushed back. But the state's 28 college presidents fell in line, submitting their documentation and pledging by Feb. 1 to eliminate any programs, practice or policy that "compels belief in critical race theory or related concepts." In the minority, legislative Democrats have howled against the DeSantis wave. They plan to keep making noise, but they aren't expecting to derail anything. "He might win," said state Rep. Anna Eskamani, one of the most progressive House members. "But the people of Florida lose." That's not what DeSantis says, though. His perspective: If you don't like it, win some elections and change the law. Until then, follow the law. Stay tuned. |
