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Changes coming to social studies textbooks in Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. — Changes have been made to some social studies textbooks across the state.

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Orange County Public Schools is hearing from parents as it prepares to adopt new policies about textbooks and classroom libraries.

The school board clarify the challenge process parents can use for books in schools, and make the school board responsible if any books are found to be harmful, and give the state more power over textbooks.

There will be less social justice in Florida schools next year, based on changes the Florida Department of Education is making to social studies textbooks.

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This started back when lawmakers banned the teaching of controversial concepts like Critical Race Theory and social emotional learning from public schools, following the governor’s charge that children were being “indoctrinated.”

The state rejected math books for allegedly including Critical Race Theory. Now, social studies books are under review.

The state initially rejected four out of five books, but later approved half of those after working with publishers on changes.

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The state provided a few examples of what they called “inaccurate” or “non-compliant” materials.

It involves a discussion about kneeling and police brutality from an elementary lesson from the American falg.

Two other changes sharpened language about communism and socialism, and tied countries like China and Cuba to those ideologies.

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Another change removed the words “social justice” from a discussion about the Hebrew bible, and a final example deleted a paragraph about police violence and the Black Lives Matter movement.

An executive at one publisher said the changes requested by the department for their books were minor and overall, they were happy with the process the state laid out.

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Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.