“I had to give permission for this or my child couldn't participate???” Walter wrote about X. He told The Washington Post in an interview that this was the first parental permission form he had received since the policy took effect last fall, but he has since received other permission forms.
The state rule in question is an extension of the Parental Bill of Rights signed into law in 2022 by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). Mr. DeSantis touted the Bill of Rights and other education reforms as a way to help parents fight him and other conservatives. What he advocated was “liberal indoctrination” woven into the K-12 and higher education systems. Critics of the law now argue that the law's language is vague and that a lack of clarity from state officials has created confusion and had a chilling effect on educators.
The Miami-Dade Public School District did not respond to specific questions about the clearance slip process, but said in a statement that the account of events “may have caused confusion. We are working with the school. “We are re-emphasizing the importance of making this clear to parents.” Learn about activities and events that require parental permission. ”
“However, because the guest speaker will be participating in a school-sanctioned education-related activity, the permit was sent home in accordance with state law,” the statement continued.
Florida Board of Education Chairman Ben Gibson claims Coral Way's leaders misread the rules, which are so obvious that he advises Coral Way on its permit policy. He said those who did so had either “grossly misunderstood” the rules or were intentionally misusing them for political reasons.
In a letter to Coral Way's principal, Gibson wrote, “It is difficult to interpret regulations that require parental permission for students to receive regular instruction, including in subjects required by state law or departmental regulations. That's clearly wrong.”
Gibson's letter said Coral Way is the only school he knows of that has misinterpreted state law, saying its rules are “clear,” but just a week ago another school in Miami-Dade County also Similar confusion occurred.
Parents at Miami's iPrep Academy can request a permission slip if their child wants to participate in “class and school-wide presentations that showcase the accomplishments of the Black community and recognize its rich and diverse traditions, history, and countless contributions.” was asked to sign. News station WPLG reported.
IPrep's request for permission slips similarly caused confusion and anger, with Florida State Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. saying in a statement, “The state of Florida is not accepting permission slips to teach African American history or celebrate Black History Month.” “There is no need for that,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Florida Department of Education did not clarify whether the department's rules require a parent permission slip whenever a guest speaker is present, regardless of the activity, saying, “The Secretary of Education 's comments and the letter from Chairman Gibson say it all.”
Andrew Spahr, president of the Florida Education Association, is one of the critics of Florida's law, saying that parents have the right to guide their children's education, but he believes it is holding back educators. be.
“Miami's problems highlight the chaos created by the governor and the Florida Department of Education. They have created a climate of fear in our state, and school districts are threatened with the possibility that any educational decision will be challenged. We are concerned that there is,” Spahr said in a statement.
State Sen. Shevrin Jones (D) was particularly upset that Secretary Diaz and other pro-DeSantis leaders at the FDOE dismissed the confusion surrounding the policies they created as a “hoax” or media creation. .
“Let me be clear: this is not a hoax, this is reality,” Jones said, adding that DeSantis would follow up on the Parents Bill of Rights with the Stop WOKE Act, which restricts how schools teach concepts about race. He pointed out that it had been enacted.
“And if it was a hoax, [Diaz’s] Just an opinion, I would like the leader to clarify what the law says. What should school district administrators do? It was submitted by the Governor, Congress through the Department of Education. Therefore, if that is not the case, the Secretary should make it clear. ”
Coral Way parent Walter believes most parents were surprised to receive parental consent forms. He praised Coral Way's principals for doing a “great job” in navigating the disruption caused by the district and state.
Mr Walter said he welcomed strong communication between parents and schools, but saw clear flaws in the permission notification policy. Written consent is obtained, including the fact that it is opt-in, meaning that by default the student cannot participate in the specified activity unless the parent consents.
“We commend schools for continuing to provide enrichment activities in light of the additional policies that have been requested,” Mr. Walter said. “My only concern is how this will play out across the state and whether it will prevent other schools from offering extracurricular classes.”
Mr. Walter was also concerned about the implications of permission notification policies, regardless of their merits, in exposing students to activities their parents dislike. He did not know specifically which books “written by African-Americans” were read at his daughter's library activity Tuesday, but his parents said none of them did.
