Florida education agencies affirm compliance with Title VI and anti-bias laws

The Florida Department of Education has confirmed that all 83 Local Education Agencies within the state have certified compliance with federal Title VI requirements. This follows adherence to regulations under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard ruling. Florida has forwarded all necessary certifications to the U.S. Department of Education.

"Florida has led the nation in eliminating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and other discriminatory practices, policies and theories from our schools," stated Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. He highlighted the state's commitment to ensuring school districts comply with Florida law while respecting Title VI rights for students and teachers.

Under the guidance of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida has taken a firm stance against policies believed to incite racial discrimination or stereotyping among students. With the enactment of the Stop WOKE Act in 2022, teachings of theories such as Critical Race Theory were scrutinized and halted. Continuing this momentum, Senate Bill 266, passed in 2023, barred institutions from spending on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. It mandated the removal of general education courses perceived as discriminatory because they suggest inherent systemic racism and other biases within American institutions.

Further actions cementing these measures include the Florida State Board of Education's decision to permanently ban DEI programs within the Florida College System. Colleges conducted comprehensive reviews of their general education courses, leading to a significant reduction in such courses by 57 percent. This revision is intended to uphold quality foundational education for students.

Moreover, recent amendments by the State Board of Education align with legislative changes in House Bill 1291 (2024), setting out guidelines for teacher preparation and school leadership programs. These programs are now required to refrain from distorting historical events or endorsing theories on systemic racism, sexism, and related issues.