The new Social Studies standard approved by the Florida Board of Education Wednesday kept in place required instruction on how slavery benefited Black people, Politico reports.
The standard requires middle school students to learn “how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.”
It is the same language as last year which received widespread criticism from Democrats and Republicans.
The standard was also criticized for its phrasing of historical events. For instance, when students are learning about the Ocoee massacre the standard requires that instruction “includes acts of violence perpetrated against and by African Americans.” Critics say it victim blames Black communities.
There were minor tweaks to the standard to include instructions about the 9/11 attacks and the history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, according to Politico. But the guidance on lessons about Black people benefiting from slavery remains unchanged.
“It still refers to slavery as having a potential benefit,” Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association teachers union, said during the state board meeting Wednesday. “And that is a concern, as well as making sure that our students have a complete and honest history around both the African American experience and all experiences in our country.”
