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    Florida adds more textbook restrictions. This time, it’s climate change.

    By Jeffrey S. Solochek,

    21 hours ago
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2Pw063_0uIjHTRw00
    Pinellas Park Middle School sixth graders manipulate a water filter while participating in a do-it-yourself water purification lab in science class in 2023. Science textbook authors say Florida has instructed them to remove references to climate change if they want to sell their books to the state's schools. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]

    The big story: First, Florida told textbook publishers to excise all mentions of “critical race theory” if they wanted to sell their editions to the state’s schools.

    Next came the prohibition on “social-emotional learning” and “diversity, equity and inclusion.”

    Now it looks to be climate change. Authors say the DeSantis administration has instructed them to ditch most references of the term, following a move to eradicate the concept from much of state law. “Florida is one of the most impacted by the impacts of climate change, and oh my goodness Gov DeSantis, why?” said Brandon Haught, a Volusia County science teacher who has fought for accurate science standards.

    Hot topics

    Superintendents: Christopher Bernier is officially Duval County’s schools superintendent. Observers are already debating whether he can improve the district, the Florida Times-Union reports.

    Summer meals: Florida is among 13 states refusing to participate in a summer program providing free meals to children while school is out, Stateline reports. Advocates are urging the state to accept the money for children in need, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

    Security: One of Broward County’s largest cities is contemplating walking away from providing resource officers to the school district, the Sun-Sentinel reports.

    New College: The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is defending its deal to sell acreage to New College in advance of the Federal Aviation Administration’s looming decision whether to approve the sale, WUSF reports.

    Counselors needed: The Hernando County school district is exploring partnerships with two colleges to create a training pipeline for guidance counselors and school administrators, Hernando Sun reports.

    Campus voter registration: Florida law increasing restrictions on third-party voter registration groups has all but ended the practice on university campuses, Inside Higher Ed reports.

    Building names: The Alachua County school district is seeking recommendations for a new name for its headquarters, WCJB reports. Until 2017, it was named after a Confederate general.

    From the court docket ... A former Orange County school counselor has sued the district, contending she was unfairly fired and accusing her principal of creating a hostile work environment, Florida Politics reports. • A Manatee County judge dismissed a lawsuit against the elections supervisor over a vacant school board seat for which the county is not holding an election, the Bradenton Herald reports. Plaintiff James Golden plans to appeal.

    Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to Friday’s roundup.

    Before you go ... Before you head out on the water, recall the lessons of Jaws, Lego style.

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