School board approves 4 of 11 math textbooks after DeSantis' crackdown on critical race theory

At least seven math textbooks have been pulled from Alachua County Public Schools for the next school year following the Florida Department of Education's recent decision to ban those that include common core and social-emotional learning.

The department, under Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration, said the books don't conform to the state's Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) standards, but has yet to say which books were rejected and specifically what standards aren't being met.

In a Friday press release, the administration announced it rejected what it said was a "record number" of math textbooks – 54 of 132 – submitted by publishers for having references to critical race theory and common core. DeSantis, a Republican, claims publishers’ attempted to "indoctrinate" students with concepts like "race essentialism," which he said was bizarre for elementary school students.

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Alachua County school board members at Tuesday's meeting approved what books could be used for next school year, giving the green light to just four of the 11 submissions. Though the vote was unanimous, some members expressed concern about the omission of several key books.

Tina Certain said it was strange having algebra on the approved list, considering it is a required course and aligns with the district's B.E.S.T standards. She also questioned the likelihood that children would learn about critical race theory — a college-level concept — in a math course.

"If our Department of Education and our governor have brought forth that accusation, then he should specifically name where these offenses occurred in the book," Certain said. "(That way) publishers, as well as educators, will know that it's not just something that's just arbitrary."

Board chairman Robert Hyatt also said the decision to not adopt a majority of math textbooks is odd.

"I have not personally looked at those math books, I don't understand how in the world there could be a problem," he said.

Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran had approved the state's adoption list for math textbooks on April 15, rejecting 41% of all submissions — half of which supposedly touched on critical race theory. At least 71% of the math books for grades k-5 were restricted. About 20% of those for middle schools weren't approved, while 35% of those for high school didn't pass the test.

The crackdown is part of the administration's latest attempt to aggressively push back against liberal cultural values.

In March, the governor is expected to sign the Stop WOKE Act into law which will further restrict k-12, colleges and workplaces discuss race. The legislation prohibits any teaching that could make students feel they bear personal responsibility for historic wrongs because of their race, color, sex or national origin.

Lawmakers voted in March to pass the legislation along party lines, with Republicans supporting it and Democrats opposing it.

The measure responded to a drumbeat from conservative media that has condemned critical race theory, which examines the role discrimination has played in shaping American history and modern society.

With the change, Jennie Wise, Alachua County's chief of learning and teaching, said some courses — Probability and Statistics and Math for Liberal Arts — now don't have approved textbooks.

She said hasn't personally reviewed any of the textbooks to know why the state made its decision but called the move "unprecedented and surprising."

"I'm hopeful that soon, the list will become more inclusive so that we can order materials that our teachers feel will meet the needs of our students so they can be ready for a new school year," she said.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Alachua school board approves 4 of 11 submitted math books after DeSantis ban