Emotions fly in debate over Florida teacher preparation

The heated story: The education topic that riled emotions in Florida’s Legislature on Thursday was teacher preparation.

The bill sponsors aimed to remove “identity politics” and “theories of systemic racism” from any lessons that colleges and universities provide students learning to become teachers. They said it’s important to teach about history and other important events without distortion.

Several Democratic lawmakers took issue with the proposal, contending it was an effort by the Republican majority to erase the truth about Black history. Tempers flared and some tears were shed during the intense debate over several amendments — none of which passed — aimed at muting the bill.

Speaker pro tempore Rep. Chuck Clemons repeatedly reminded members to turn the heat down and keep things civil. He specifically chastised the use of the word “garbage” to describe others’ viewpoints, suggesting the lawmakers expand their lexicon to become more eloquent.

After rolling the bill to final reading, Clemons had everyone return to their seats, and pointed to the bracelet he received from Democratic Rep. Christine Hunchofsky. It says, “kindness.” Clemons asked everyone to use a little as they continue to the end of session, which comes March 8. He received a round of applause. Read more from News Service of Florida.

More Tallahassee action

Vouchers: State lawmakers are holding firm in their proposal to reduce the permitted uses of education voucher funds, despite families’ pleas to keep the expense list broad enough to include art supplies and musical instruments. Here’s why.

Social media: Senate President Kathleen Passidomo said she expects Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto HB 1 barring minors from social media, Florida Politics reports. Lawmakers are gearing up to revise HB 3 on limits to internet pornography access to take its place, USA Today Florida Network reports.

Deregulation: The House passed a second bill to reduce regulations placed on public schools and sent it back to the Senate. It removed several concepts, including the elimination of some high school graduation testing requirements, that the Senate had proposed, Florida Phoenix reports.

Today in Tallahassee … The House convenes at 9 a.m. HB 1291 on teacher preparation is on the calendar for final consideration. • The Senate convenes at 9 a.m. Bills on the special order calendar include SB 1128 on university carryover funds, SB 994 on student transportation and SB 962 on inhaler availability in schools.

Hot topics

School construction: Hillsborough County school district officials have pledged $70 million to rebuild recently closed Just Elementary School and nearby Stewart Middle. • The St. Johns County school district plans to convert a high school it closed in 1985 into a new campus for its technical college, WTLV reports.

Religion in schools: A Palm Beach County high school math teacher has been reprimanded for giving students pamphlets encouraging them to join in the worship of Jesus Christ, the Palm Beach Post reports.

Parent involvement: The Escambia County school district is encouraging families to get more involved in their children’s schools as a way to combat rising absenteeism, WKRG reports.

Open enrollment: The Martin County School Board will make all district schools available for open enrollment, if there is space available, WPTV reports.

New College: The school announced the hiring of a Presidential Scholar who has faced past criticism for his writings in favor of colonialism, the Herald-Tribune reports.

Hazing: The University of Miami chapter of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity is under investigation after videos surfaced that reportedly show hazing activities, the Miami Herald reports.

Election season: Leon County superintendent Rocky Hanna has drawn a second challenger for the post, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

Eclipse activity: A major solar eclipse is coming on April 8, and Seminole County schools are getting ready for it, WESH reports.

Culture wars: Teachers in Florida schools that follow the International Baccalaureate program say they are not feeling constricted by state laws on the instruction of race, gender and other areas because of the way the program is structured, Education Week reports.

Crossing zones: Recently installed cameras have captured nearly 200 drivers speeding through school crossing zones in the city of Eustis, the Daily Commercial reports.

Charter schools: Residents of an Alachua County town whose students attend schools in nearby Newberry are criticizing Newberry’s proposal to convert the schools into charters, WCJB reports.

From the police blotter … Six people, including a staff member and three students, were arrested after a fight at Hillsborough County’s Chamberlain High School. • Two Flagler County teens face charges stemming from a fight at school, Flagler Live reports.

Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.

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