Florida bill bars ‘identity politics’ from educator prep programs

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A Florida Senate committee passed a bill Thursday aimed to make sure educator preparation programs do not teach “identity politics” or “distort historical events,” among other items.

SB 1372 is being carried by Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, in the Senate. A similar bill, HB 1291, is being carried in the House by Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart.

The bill modifies requirements for courses and instruction in initial teacher preparation programs, educator preparation institutes, and school leadership programs.

The bill says that the programs may not “distort historical events, teach identity politics, violate Florida law regarding discrimination, or base such courses or instruction on specified theories,” according to the bill’s analysis.