{"id":63773,"date":"2024-04-02T14:19:20","date_gmt":"2024-04-02T21:19:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=63773"},"modified":"2024-04-02T14:19:20","modified_gmt":"2024-04-02T21:19:20","slug":"poll-finds-nearly-all-florida-parents-want-experts-not-politicians-shaping-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=63773","title":{"rendered":"Poll Finds Nearly All Florida Parents Want Experts, Not Politicians Shaping Education"},"content":{"rendered":"
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y<\/span>Mark Hedin<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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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 \u201ceducation professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"K-12<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Lea este art\u00edculo en\u00a0espa\u00f1ol<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

An overwhelming majority of Florida adults, especially parents, disagree with their lawmakers about how kids should be educated, new data shows.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnder the false pretext of \u2018parental rights,\u2019 students across the state are being subjected to political interference whereby Tallahassee politicians decide what books are appropriate, what subjects should be taught \u2013 or not \u2013 and more,\u201d Margaret\u00a0Huang, of the Southern Poverty Law Center, said at a\u00a0press briefing announcing the findings<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cFar-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.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, the SPLC partnered with the nonpartisan independent research firm Ipsos in December to survey Floridian taxpayers\u2019 attitudes about the state\u2019s educational system.<\/p>\n

It found that 92% of Floridian parents and 90% of the general adult population want public school curricula decided on by \u201ceducation professionals\u201d \u2013 credentialed teachers and administrators.<\/p>\n

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 \u201cvery important to ensure all young people in Florida have a chance to get a good education\u201d and 85% of parents and 83% of all those surveyed see K-12 education as a right.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis deluge of attacks against public schools is only growing, and Florida is the main battleground,\u201d Huang said. Since 2021, 44 states have introduced bills or taken steps to censor how race can be discussed in schools.<\/p>\n

The new data, she said, demonstrates \u201cjust how disconnected\u201d those behind the attacks are. \u201cWhile 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Florida is in the news this week as the state\u2019s 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\u2019s leadership is with the voting public. Polling shows both initiatives are popular among a majority of voters.<\/p>\n

Also speaking at the briefing was Andrew Spar, of the Florida Education Association.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the rights of kids to be excited about their education, to see themselves and be seen?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cVoters 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\u2019s what voters want.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the third consecutive year, Spar said, his now-9th<\/sup>-grade daughter began the school year in Florida\u2019s Volusia County without a full complement of teachers \u2013 this year, no English teacher. And teachers he knows are fleeing for more supportive states offering their kids better schooling.<\/p>\n

The problems that exist in elementary schools, he said, extend into the state\u2019s high schools and higher education institutions, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cPublic education is not just a system of learning. It\u2019s the cornerstone of democracy,\u201d Laura Munoz, of Florida Student Power, said. \u201cIt unites us, provides equal opportunities, and shapes students\u2019 understanding of the world around us, shaping our values and preparing us for the challenges that lie ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

But \u201cto become critical thinkers capable of navigating an increasingly complex world,\u201d she said, requires \u201can education designed and made by educators, not by politicians, based on their expertise and knowledge, not political pandering.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDespite Floridians\u2019 overwhelming support for public schools, state leaders\u2019 pursuit of anti-education laws and policies have diverted millions of dollars from public schools, diminishing the quality of education students can expect to receive,\u201d SPLC Action Fund Florida policy director Jonathan Webber said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are already seeing the consequences of those decisions in how people vote and who they support for office. Floridians are determined to ensure all students have access to a quality free education without discrimination.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a valuable lesson about listening to teachers before you pass sweeping, controversial changes.\u201d<\/p>\n

The outcry over the leadership of former presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis, Florida\u2019s governor, in enacting book bans and other policies was such that he has begun to disavow them, and groups such as Moms for Liberty, that argued against inclusive school policies, were defeated in school board elections.<\/p>\n

Seeing that, the Florida Senate in February abandoned book bans and other bills targeting Black and LGBTQ+ communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe research is extremely clear. Floridians support our public schools, and they want professional educators to lead on how to best educate our children.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPublic education remains a cornerstone of our democracy,\u201d Huang said. \u201cSchools offer the opportunity to learn from our shared history in order to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re also mechanisms for educating voters and future voters about the values of a participatory democracy. It\u2019s why the elected leaders of the Reconstruction era focused on building public education for all. They recognized the need to help everyone in our republic exercise their rights.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFlorida needs state leaders who understand the importance of public schools and will work to support them. That means equitable and strong funding, high-quality resources, and well-paid educators and support staff who are appropriately trained to work with children from all walks of life. It is essential to create inclusive learning environments where all children can thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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