Florida Department of Education

The changes have drawn criticism from educators, parents and community members over how evolution and human-caused climate change will be taught, as well as whether teachers will have enough time to cover the material.

Florida Education Commissioner Henry Mack says the teacher rejected a student's political views, encouraged him to discuss controversial topics against his parents' wishes and improperly shared information about him and his younger brother with other teachers.

Many of the books were pulled in Florida, where Education Commissioner Henry Mack recently told districts to continuously audit books and remove sexually explicit material, even if not challenged.

In a draft sent to employees and obtained by the News Service of Florida, the DOE would require approval for head coverings on a “case-by-case basis for religious or medical reasons.”

The Florida Department of Education held its first listening session at Armwood High School. Some teachers brought up their concerns about missing topics, such as evolution.

Commissioner Henry Mack wants school districts to cross-check the DOE’s official list of removed books with their own list of instructional materials and library books for review.

The Department of Education will consider approving its own rule Wednesday. It would require all public colleges to craft policies addressing the use of AI by staff and students.

The removals were reported in 10 of Florida's 67 school districts, but Clay and Escambia accounted for more than 60 percent. Only Polk, with 33 books, reported removals among Tampa Bay area districts.

Researchers and disability advocates warn a dismantling of the Education Department risk widening the disparities autistic kids face in diagnosis, school support and discrimination protection.

It now must be approved by the State Board of Education, which will hold a meeting on the matter next month, to take effect.

Publishers acceded to state requests watering down information on climate change’s impact, WUSF/Hechinger Report investigation finds. Now the state has turned to updating its science standards.

In an administrative challenge, Nightlock claims the state Department of Education developed rules to undermine a new law authorizing schools to install secondary locks for use in emergencies.