schools face tough times teaching math amid ‘CRT’ complaints

[florida80]

12/8

chools across Florida and the nation have made strides to attempt to diversify their curricula to ensure that students see real life in their lessons. That includes in their STEM classes. At the same time, there’s been backlash by some people against what they see as too much emphasis on race in school. It’s become a conundrum for teachers as they attempt to navigate the crosscurrents. Read on for that story and more Florida education news.

Can teaching math be racist? Schools in Florida and elsewhere are changing the way they approach the core subject, USA Today reports.

Some groups have resisted the concepts of equity and diversity. The Flagler County School Board returned “equity” to its strategic plan after having removed it under fire, Flagler Live reports.

Other hot topics
Gender issues: An advisory committee recommended returning the challenged LGBTQ memoir All Boys Aren’t Blue to Flagler County school shelves. The superintendent disagreed, Flagler Live reports. More from the Daytona Beach News-Journal. • Critics called the Department of Education’s removal of its anti-bullying portal from its website a “staggering escalation of (the department’s) anti-LGBTQ agenda,” WCJB reports.

Open meetings: Brevard County residents accused the school board of violating open meeting laws in October when it removed the public during a mask debate. The State Attorney declined to file charges, Space Coast Daily reports.

Who are Moms for Liberty? Founded by conservative current and former school board members, the Florida-based group is giving new flair to Republican education issues that have been around for years, TC Palm reports.

School board elections: Some Republican lawmakers want to return to the days of partisan school board elections, Florida Phoenix reports.

Finances: Florida House Democrats called for improved state funding to ensure schools and educational services can afford to fill critical vacancies, the Capitolist reports. More from Florida Politics. • The Broward County school district will keep students in school all day during winter exams, rather than letting them leave at lunchtime. It’s all about ensuring students attend enough hours for full funding, WFOR reports.

Masks: The Alachua County School Board asked for information about how to deal with students who are being bullied in school because they are wearing masks, WCJB reports.

More school news
Making threats of violence against schools is a felony. Miami-Dade County school police reemphasized the law as threats continue to mount, WPLG reports. Another Miami-Dade teen was arrested Tuesday on accusations of threatening a school, the Miami Herald reports.

What not to say? Broward County school district officials are looking into banning graduation speeches deemed too controversial or political, the Sun-Sentinel reports.

What not to wear? Some north Florida school districts continue to debate whether student dress codes are sexist as they review potential policy changes, WJXT reports.

Some Alachua County parents are complaining that superintendent Carlee Simon blocked them on Twitter. They said it has become increasingly difficult to communicate with the district leader, WGFL reports.

Southern Palm Beach County is getting its first new public elementary school in two decades. Rezoning to fill the school is under way, the Palm Beach Post reports.

Don’t miss a story. Here’s the link to yesterday’s roundup.

Before you go … Is your home in the path of Angry Birds? (Love that game.)

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