TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida Board of Education passed new rules and standards for African American History in schools on Wednesday.

What You Need To Know

  • Board of Education met on Wednesday to approve the new standard for the school year

  • According to critics, one of those standards revolved around limiting the amount of African American History that is taught in school

  • Kianna Chambers is a student who says the standard stripping her of history that’s important

The rules update the standards to align with changes from a bill passed during the 2022 legislative session.

Opponents say the curriculum leaves out Florida's role in slavery and the oppression of African Americans, puts blame on Black communities and uses outdated language.

“The next generation coming up should learn what African Americans went through and what slavery was. 'Who were the African Americans that put an impact on the community and the world?',” said incoming 11th grader Kianna Chambers.

The Board of Education says those issues will still be in the curriculum, though critics say certain lessons have been removed or limited depending on the grade level.

Education Commissioner Manny Diaz says the standards are a "robust curriculum."

"If anyone takes the time to even look at the standards you can see that everything is covered," said Diaz. "From elementary school where we talk about those who have been prominent African Americans, and, as age appropriate, we go into some of the tougher subjects all the way into slave trade, Jim Crow laws (and the) civil rights movement."

Chambers says she’s expressed interest in taking a course in African American studies, and that these new standards are not the only obstacle she feels she’s faced.

Earlier this year, Florida rejected the College Board’s Advanced Placement class on the topic.

As a Black student, she feels disappointed with the education department's decision and hopes leaders hear her message.

“That course shows everything about African Americans from back all the way until now,” said Chambers. “It’s important for younger people and the people coming up to learn about our history and why we’re here now, and how our history plays a role in how we’re living now and why things are a certain way now,” she said.

Chambers is hopeful school leaders will continue to find ways to share this history in schools.

The Florida Education Association released a statement on these standards saying, in part, this is the worst fear for educators.

They also said they believe history is what prepares students to create a better future by avoiding these past mistakes.