State Board of Education votes to prevent Critical Race Theory from being taught in Florida schools

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Action News Jax explains what the decision to ban critical race theory means for Florida’s public schools and why local activists are against the ban on CBS47 and FOX30 at 5.

UPDATE: The State Board of Education voted to prevent Critical Race Theory from being taught in Florida schools on Thursday.

It is not currently taught in the state’s K-12 schools.

Original story below:

Florida is likely going to adopt a new rule that could prevent public school teachers from teaching Critical Race Theory.

The State Board of Education is having a meeting at FSCJ’s campus in downtown with school leaders from around the state.

Some local activists and parents are protesting the proposal.

Parents like Kris Kiernan say that critical race theory is important in the classroom because it’s a way of thinking.

“I mean this is the history of our country. Our country was built on slavery. We need to understand that, we need to acknowledge it, we need to move forward,” Kiernan said. “If we don’t have the discussion then we will have zero progress,” she added.

But Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis worries that teaching it pits Black students against white students, creating tension in the classroom.

“Florida’s education system exists to create opportunity for our children. Critical Race Theory teaches kids to hate our country and to hate each other. It is state-sanctioned racism and has no place in Florida schools,” DeSantis stated in a tweet.

Hear both sides of the argument TODAY on CBS47 at Noon.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates and watch FOX30 and CBS47 for the very latest.

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