Henry Mack

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.

While some schools in the path of Isaias are starting to reopen, the state's top education official says others will wait until next week.

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.

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.