Florida rejects 41% of new math textbooks, claiming Common Core and CRT as cause

Florida has rejected over 54 of the 132 new math books submitted for the state’s 2022-2023 school year curriculum.

This move is being praised by Gov. Ron Desantis, stating references to critical race theory, Common Core, and social-emotional learning contributed to the rejection.

The Florida Department of Education announced Friday that the largest portion of rejected math books was for grades listed between K-5 at 71%.

Twenty-one percent, or 28 books, were not included in the adoption for the specific reason being CRT and incorporation of prohibited topics.

“Despite rejecting 41 percent of materials submitted, every core mathematics course and grade is covered with at least one textbook,” the Department of Education said.

“It seems that some publishers attempted to slap a coat of paint on an old house built on the foundation of Common Core, and indoctrinating concepts like race essentialism, especially, bizarrely, for elementary school students,” stated Gov. Desantis.

“I’m grateful that Commissioner Corcoran and his team at the Department have conducted such a thorough vetting of these textbooks to ensure they comply with the law.”

Previously in 2019, Gov. Desantis issued an executive order calling for the removal of Common Core, which was designed to develop world-class education standards for math and English for Florida school textbooks and learning materials.

In 2021, the Department of Education released a statement that new textbooks must align with state standards, avoiding references to “unsolicited strategies, such as social-emotional learning and culturally responsive teaching.”

FDOE (Florida Department of Education) said “It is unfortunate that several publishers, especially at the elementary school grade levels, have ignored this clear communication and have attempted to slip rebranded instructional materials based on Common Core Standards into Florida’s classrooms, while others have included prohibited and divisive concepts such as the tenants of CRT or other unsolicited strategies of indoctrination – despite FDOE’s prior notification.”

For more information regarding rules and guidelines for instructive materials, CLICK HERE.

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