FL prohibiting discussion of "social justice" in K-12 social studies textbooks

[Nevilledog]

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Judd Legum
@JuddLegum
1. @GovRonDeSantis and the Florida Department of Education (@EducationFL) have introduced new rules prohibiting discussion of "social justice" in K-12 social studies textbooks

Can you teach social studies while ignoring social justice movements?

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popular.info
Social studies without social justice
By June 10, publishers of social studies textbooks are required to submit their materials to the Florida Department of Education for review. Textbooks that meet state requirements will be

https://popular.info/p/social-studies-without-social-justice?s=w


By June 10, publishers of social studies textbooks are required to submit their materials to the Florida Department of Education for review. Textbooks that meet state requirements will be available for schools to use in K-12 social studies classes in the 2022-23 school year.

According to guidance released by the Florida Department of Education, social studies textbooks must not include any component of "social justice." Lessons related to social justice, the guidance states, "may lead to student indoctrination."

Social justice is not comprehensively defined in the Florida Department of Education guidance. But one component of social justice, according to the Florida Department of Education, is "seeking to eliminate undeserved disadvantages for selected groups."

Is is possible, however, to teach social studies — a topic which explores how society developed and functions — without covering any efforts to "eliminate undeserved disadvantages for selected groups"? Popular Information reached out to Anton Schulzki, President of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), "the largest professional association in the country devoted solely to social studies education," to find out. In addition to his current role as President of NCSS, Schulzki has taught social studies in Colorado Springs, Colorado since 1983.

Schulzki was unconvinced that teachers could provide a rigorous social studies education without addressing issues of social justice. Schulzki told Popular Information that social justice "goes hand-in-hand with teaching civil rights," which is a central component of a social studies curriculum.

*snip*

[sop]

1. Just teach students about all the "social injustices" of the past two or three centuries.

There hasn't been much social justice in this country since it was founded.