Education Board Approves Disciplinary Actions for Teachers Who Violate Parental Rights Law and Stop WOKE Act
ORLANDO (FLV) – The Florida State Board of Education adopted amendments for disciplinary actions to take place if teachers violate the Parental Rights in Education law and the Stop “WOKE” Act.
The Parental Rights in Education law prohibits educators from instructing K-3 grade students on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Stop “WOKE” Act bans educators from teaching students that their “moral character” is determined by race, sex, or national origin.
“It should not be surprising that educators are at risk of having their certificates sanctioned if they violate state law,” Florida Department of Education Communications Director Alex Lanfranconi.
The Department of Education said the Office of Professional Practices Services investigates alleged misconduct. If there are violations, the education commissioner may pursue disciplinary action against a teacher. The education department said that could include a teacher having their certificate revoked or suspended.
Here is a breakdown of how alleged misconduct is investigated.
“The proposed amendment will change nothing for teachers who follow the law and are focused on providing high-quality classroom instruction aligned to state academic standards,” Lanfranconi said.
State Board of Education members also adopted administrative rules to require school districts notify parents if bathrooms and locker rooms will be separated by any reason other than “biological sex at birth.”
Board of Education Approves Rule to Inform Parents if Transgenders Can Use Preferred Bathrooms, Locker Rooms
The rule’s stated purpose is to “protect the fundamental rights of parents to ensure they are fully informed of how bathrooms are designated and how locker rooms, which include dressing rooms, are designated and supervised.”
Another approved rule creates the format for the posting of materials in elementary school library media centers as required by House Bill 1467. Parents will be able to search the materials a student in an elementary school grade level has access to.
“Parents have a right to be involved in their child’s education and informed regarding what is taking place at their child’s school, and moreover students have a right to come to a safe learning environment every day,” said Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “I applaud the State Board of Education for upholding parental rights and continuing to promote the health, safety and welfare of the students in our schools.”
