Enlarge image
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
Photo: MARCO BELLO / REUTERS
In the Republican-ruled US state of Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis' Kulturkampf is entering the next round.
The local school board recently banned the subject of African American Studies from high schools.
It is about the history and culture of African Americans.
According to the authorities, the course violates applicable law and »it lacks significant educational value«.
Mandatory training courses for so-called media specialists in education are now to take place, including teachers and library staff.
In the training, they should learn which teaching material may and may not be used.
The school board's training specifically aims to deprive students of books on racism and LGBTQ issues that address sexual orientation and gender identity.
Using "harmful educational material" is a crime, HuffPost said in the training.
But no examples are given of books that fit this definition.
Teachers have expressed concern they could face prosecution if they don't censor books conservatives deem harmful.
Mandatory training further instructs teachers to "avoid" classroom material that could lead to indoctrination of students.
Again, it is not clear what exactly is meant by this.
Also, according to the training, anyone living in the school district is free to make a complaint about course materials.
Media professionals should also check whether a book has been banned or censored in other school districts, and then "carefully consider" whether to allow it in their school.
A right-wing education agenda is being pursued in Florida, but also in other Republican-governed states, under the keyword »parental rights«.
According to a study, 1,648 book titles have been banned in 32 states in the United States in the past two years.
yes
