TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Florida Department of Education review of 132 math books has led to the banning of more than 40% of them due to what the state calls “prohibited topics” including critical race theory and social-emotional learning.
Fifty-four math books were banned, with 6,000 pages of internal debates released this week by the state.
In one reviewer's comments, published by Spectrum Bay News 9's partner newspaper the Tampa Bay Times, the reviewer noted in one math book:
- Most athletes depicted were Black, while white people were shown in non-sports related images.
- “Agenda driven and biased” pertaining to climate science. The reviewer noted the publisher accepted the climate crisis as a “scientific fact."
- Multiple exercises related to a debate between Al Gore and Rush Limbaugh, where the publisher was in favor of Al Gore's arguments based on the questions in the exercises.
In a statement, the Department of Education said reviewers “…must meet minimum professional qualifications, and they must evaluate materials based on alignment with the state's standards…Additional state law pertaining to required instruction and any additional bid specifications.”
Not only does the State Board of Education have its own book review commission, but some local counties have their own as well.
Next week, the Polk County School Board will meet to discuss two books it has banned during a review of district materials.