State Board of Education bans gender teachings through 12th grade with exceptions

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – The State Board of Education approved a rule Thursday to prohibit instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity through 12th grade in public schools.

Florida’s Voice was the first to report on the proposed change to the rule.

A teacher who violates the rule could have their educator’s certificate revoked or suspended.

Under the rule, teachers would not intentionally provide classroom instruction to students in prekindergarten through grade three on sexual orientation or gender identity.

For grades four through 12, teachers would not be allowed to intentionally provide classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity with some exceptions.

Those exceptions include if the instruction is either expressly required by state academic standards or is part of a reproductive health course or health lesson for which a student’s parent has the option to have his or her student not attend.

The rule goes into effect in 34 days, according to the Florida Department of Education.

During the meeting, the board also approved rules to clarify student performance standards and Florida educator accomplished practices.

“This sets clarity for our teachers that in our standards, none of these issues that are being talked about are part of our standards, with the exception of the definition here in health,” Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. said.

“We’re providing clarity on what the students are expected to learn. Nothing more. It’s not any more complicated than that, so I just wanted to make that clear,” said board member Esther Byrd.

Dozens of people spoke in support of the rule, saying these discussions should be left to parents at the home.

“We believe that the focus in education should always be teaching the basics of math, science, history, etc. in the classroom, especially when it comes to issues such as sexual orientation and gender identity,” said Ryan Kennedy with Florida Citizens’ Alliance.

“These decisions should be left at home to the parents to decide when and if their child should be exposed to this material.”

Others speaking against the rule believed that “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” was too vague.

“It’s intentional to be vague because it allows interpretation that will push out more of our quality teachers. That will put some of our most vulnerable children in danger,” one speaker said. “These are not the kids who do the bullying. These are the kids who get bullied.”