Florida Department of Education

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.

The measure also prohibits undocumented students from enrolling in adult general education programs in high schools and state colleges, which help prepare those taking the GED exam for the equivalency of a high school diploma.

Mack, a senior chancellor with the Florida Department of Education from 2019 to 2023, led the state’s career and technical education initiatives and heavily supported Gov. Ron DeSantis’ parental rights policies.