A poll by the Southern Poverty Law Center found 92% of Floridian parents and 90% of the adult population want public school curricula decided on by “education professionals.” An overwhelming majority of Florida adults, especially parents, disagree with their lawmakers about how kids should be educated, new data shows. “Under the false pretext of ‘parental rights,’ students across the state are being subjected to political interference whereby Tallahassee politicians decide what books are appropriate, what subjects should be taught – or not – and more,” Margaret Huang, of the Southern Poverty Law Center, said at a press briefing announcing the findings. “Far-right groups supported by a vocal minority of activists and urged on by opportunistic politicians have been mobilized to censor classroom discussion, eliminate inclusive education, and spread a false narrative that public schools are broken.” So, the SPLC partnered with the nonpartisan independent research firm Ipsos in December to survey Floridian taxpayers’ attitudes about the state’s educational system. It found that 92% of Floridian parents and 90% of the general adult population want public school curricula decided on by “education professionals” – credentialed teachers and administrators. The study also found that 87% of Florida parents and 85% of adults overall support increased school funding. Also, 87% of parents and 81% of all adults surveyed said it is “very important to ensure all young people in Florida have a chance to get a good education” and 85% of parents and 83% of all those surveyed see K-12 education as a right. “This deluge of attacks against public schools is only growing, and Florida is the main battleground,” Huang said. Since 2021, 44 states have introduced bills or taken steps to censor how race can be discussed in schools. The new data, she said, demonstrates “just how disconnected” those behind the attacks are. “While claiming to give parents a voice and protect the interests of children, their real goal is to ensure that classrooms and curricula are again dominated by a white, CIS-gendered, Christian ideology.” Florida is in the news this week as the state’s Supreme Court is set to rule on two proposed ballot initiatives, one that would enshrine the right to an abortion in the state and another on recreational marijuana. The ruling will provide another gauge of how aligned the state’s leadership is with the voting public. Polling shows both initiatives are popular among a majority of voters. Also speaking at the briefing was Andrew Spar, of the Florida Education Association. “What about the rights of kids to be excited about their education, to see themselves and be seen?” he asked. “Voters want strong public schools with a plethora of Advanced Placement classes, robust music, art, P.E. and elective programs, and strong career and tech programs. That’s what voters want. “They understand the importance of students seeing themselves in their learning and they want lawmakers to address the massive teacher and staff shortage, which is the worst we have ever seen in the state of Florida and has been that way for the last several years.” For the third consecutive year, Spar said, his now9th-grade daughter began the school year in Florida’s Volusia County without a full complement of teachers – this year, no English teacher. And teachers he knows are fleeing for more supportive 35
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