Associated Press
Former President Donald Trump has called for parents to elect and fire school principals. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has banned instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. And Nikki Haley, the former U.N. ambassador who is expected to announce her White House candidacy this coming week, is among the Republicans taking aim at critical race theory.
In the opening stages of the 2024 GOP presidential race, the “parents’ rights” movement and lessons for schoolchildren are emerging as flashpoints.
Nowhere is the drive more visible than in Florida, where DeSantis has made an aggressive push against what he calls “woke” policies.
He gained national attention last year for signing the so-called Don’t Say Gay bill into law, barring instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity for young elementary schoolers, as well as material deemed not age-appropriate, which critics have argued is vague and could stifle classroom discussions. He also signed the “Stop WOKE” act in 2022, a law that restricted teaching that members of one race are inherently racist or should feel guilt about past actions by other people of the same race, among other things.
DeSantis has also extended his political influence to local school board races, endorsing candidates last year in what had been nonpartisan contests and flipping at least three boards from a liberal majority to a conservative majority.
More recently, he blocked high schools from teaching a new Advanced Placement course on African American studies, contending it was a violation of a state law and historically inaccurate. Beyond K-12 schools, he appointed six conservative trustees to the board of a small liberal arts college and he has announced plans to restrict state colleges from having programs on diversity, equity and inclusion, and critical race theory.
As DeSantis emerges as the most formidable potential challenger to Trump, who has staked out his own positions on the same issues and recently released a nearly 5-minute video outlining what his campaign called a “Plan to Save American Education and Give Power Back to Parents.”
Declaring that “public schools have been taken over by the radical left maniacs,” and warning about “pink-haired communists teaching our kids,” Trump pledged, if elected president again, that he would cut federal money for any school or program promoting “critical race theory, gender ideology or other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content on to our children.”
Former Vice President Mike Pence, who is considering a presidential campaign, is using a group he formed to rally conservatives against transgender-affirming policies in schools. The group’s plans to run ads, hold rallies and canvass in early voting state Iowa comes as a federal appeals court is set to consider a case involving an Iowa school district’s policy to support transgender students.
—
Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
12 comments
Claude Kirk the younger
February 12, 2023 at 9:09 am
In Florida we are coming down hard on anyone trying to hurt our precious childern. Right now it just happens that the public school system is the most egregious offender.
This is 100% for the kids here in Florida. I’ve already told you Ron has no plans to run for POTUS in 2024. We will however run in 2028 and be elected by the biggest landslide mandate from the voters of The USA.
cassandra
February 12, 2023 at 5:05 pm
I’ll go first, Claude: “The 47-year-old principal of a Christian school in Tennessee has been arrested for the second time over sexual activity with multiple minors and has been slapped with 11 additional charges. Also charged is 28-year-old Brittney Branham, a secretary and homeschool coordinator at Liberty.”–crooksandliars.com
Now, Claude, it’s your turn to post a public school example..
Claude Kirk the younger
February 13, 2023 at 8:47 am
Thank you for your support cassandra you are a fine conservative lady. Ron and I are proud to have you on our Desantis for POTIS 2028 Team.
Had the evil 47 year old principal in your example been a Florida principal he/she along with he/she Brittney would both be serving life with no paroll in The Great State of Florida. Both Ron and I will look into the case you described to see if the evil perps need additional punishment after we take the White House in 2028. Thank you for your continued support cassandra. Would you be interested in serving with Ron and I in 2028?
Thanks again, Claude
Kathy
February 13, 2023 at 8:59 am
I don’t understand the GOP desire to be viewed as “big government” and push to have politicians involved in education of our kids. Why not just encourage parents to get involved in their local schools? Why would any parent want non-parents involved in their kids education?
arthur
February 13, 2023 at 10:45 am
Elected officials have long ignored their responsibility to protect children, whether it is in the community or in the schools.
Republicans are understanding the Liberal/Woke/Democrat agenda to create more pain and suffering to increase demand for the “Government” is the answer.
The natural response of the Liberal/Woke/Democrat cabal is to seize any narrative to undermine what has long needed to be done.
Republicans have always been about the Constitution, Family, and Faith . . . now realizing that “being nice” is no longer an option as the Liberal/Woke/Democrat agenda is hurting millions.
Keep it up Governor . . . and all the other Republicans who are taking up the sword of legislation that has long been used against them.
Consitutionalist first, Republican second.
Dr. Franklin Waters
February 13, 2023 at 12:31 pm
I’m sorry to tell you this Arthur, but you have absolutely no idea what the f**k you are even talking about.
Mr. Haney
February 13, 2023 at 11:09 am
Republicans are traitors.
Let me know when you’ve actually read the US Constitution.
Dr. Franklin Waters
February 13, 2023 at 12:26 pm
I feel bad for kids growing up in Florida schools these days.
The rest of the country and most companies will consider their education to be a complete joke and many will be unemployable.
If I had a child going to a Florida school, I’d seriously consider moving to another state. Florida is going down a dark path under this governor.
JD
February 13, 2023 at 5:16 pm
The voucher program is the biggest land grab for every wannabe charter school. There’s almost zero vetting of these schools that qualify for the tax payer money all under the guise of protecting parent’s choice (not child safety – if there was there’s be better gun laws).
How much of the money was funneled into “Christian” schools? If you are going to stop indoctrination, I don’t know what has more indoctrination than religion (and some where people began to believe that religion and morality had to be linked – they don’t – so don’t fall for that ruse).
Jim Cline
February 14, 2023 at 10:54 am
You know, if DeSantis starts sending lots more checks from Florida county school systems, he might regret what he gets. For instance, here is a link to study materials for Wiccan moms to use including a Junior Guide to Witchcraft. Probably can’t stop anybody from qualifying for a voucher if they homeschool.
https://www.google.com/search?q=wiccan+home+study+materials+for+children&oq=wiccan+home+study+materials+for+children&aqs=chrome..69i57.8366j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Comments are closed.