Florida education board to ban CRT, with support from Gov. DeSantis and opposition from professors

The Florida State Board of Education is expected to pass a rule today that will ban the teaching of Critical Race Theory at the K-12 level. Several professors are opposing the measure, saying that students should be taught Critical Race Theory before they even arrive on campus. 

The rule being considered today is part of Gov. DeSantis’ larger push against Critical Race Theory at all levels.

Per WTXL Pensacola, DeSantis said at a press conference in late May, 

””When they try to look back and denigrate the founding fathers, denigrate the American Revolution, doing all these different things that even very liberal historians say is not supported by the facts. So, I think what we need is we need the constitution back in classrooms, we need to make sure civics is a priority, but it needs to be taught accurately. It needs to be taught in a fact-based way, not an ideological-based way...If we have to play whack-a-mole all over this state stopping Critical Race Theory, we will do it.”

Some of the strongest opponents of the rule can be found on college campuses. Dr. Dana Thompson Dorsey, an education professor at the University of South Florida, told the Herald-Tribune, “Critical race theory has nothing to do with hating America, but has everything to do with being true and honest about the history of the United States.” Dr. Dorsey has previously worked with colleges as a racial equity consultant. 

Professor Michelle Jacobs, who has taught Critical Race Theory at the University of Florida Law School, told WCJB that understanding civics requires learning about race. However, the rule would not stop any student from learning about race and history.  

The proposed rule says that classroom instruction must “be factual and objective, and may not suppress or distort significant historical events, such as the Holocaust, and may not define American history as something other than the creation of a new nation based largely on universal principles stated in the Declaration of Independence.” The rule also directs teachers to have discussions “appropriate for the age and maturity level of the students.” 

As Gov. DeSantis plays “whack-a-mole” to stop Critical Race Theory, he will have his work cut out for him in higher education. 

The University of Miami requires diversity training for all students, as does the University of Florida. Miami Dade College teaches future teachers to be “agents of social change” and teaches CRT in the criminal justice program. FSU and USF both offer certificate programs in diversity, equity, and inclusion - teaching their students to be CRT practitioners.

Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @AngelaLMorabito