The Miami-Dade County Public Schools in Florida have come under scrutiny for requiring parental consent for students to participate in a reading session of an African American author’s book. The incident came to light when Charles Walter, a parent of a first-grade student at Coral Way K-8 in Miami, expressed his disbelief on social media platform X, regarding the necessity for such permission.
The permission slip, distributed by the school, scheduled a “read aloud” event from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the library, hinting at the presence of guest speakers such as a fireman, doctor, or artist. Walter, 46, shared his frustration, stating, “I had to give permission for this or else my child would not participate???” His post, featuring the permission slip, quickly garnered significant attention online.
Read: Florida school district ‘bans books with LGBTQ characters entirely’
In an interview with NBC News, Walter explained the situation surrounding his daughter Eva’s participation in the event. Despite giving verbal consent, he was informed that a signed form was mandatory for her involvement. This policy, as per the school district’s statement, adheres to the Parental Rights in Education law signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2022. This law, often criticised and dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law, aims to give parents more control over their children’s education but has faced backlash for limiting discussions around sexual orientation or gender identity.
Legislative actions and their impact on school policies
The law is part of a series of education-focused legislations signed by DeSantis, including the controversial “Stop WOKE ACT,” targeting the teaching methods of race-related topics in schools. Critics argue that these laws contribute to a broader agenda of conservative indoctrination within public education.
The school district’s implementation of permission slips for various activities, especially those involving guest speakers, has been in place since at least November. This move, however, has led to confusion and concern among parents and educators alike. The district spokesperson emphasised efforts to clarify the requirements for activities needing parental permission, insisting that the compliance with state law was the primary reason for the permission slips.
Despite the controversy, the exact content of the book read during the event and the identity of the guest speakers remain unspecified. According to Walter, the book’s theme revolved around empowerment, depicting a boy who believed he could achieve anything.
The state’s education commissioner, Manny Diaz Jr., clarified that Florida’s educational policies do not necessitate permission slips for teaching African American history or celebrating Black History Month, labelling any such school practice as incorrect.
“Florida does not require a permission slip to teach African American history or to celebrate Black History Month. Any school that does this is completely in the wrong.”
Manny Diaz Jr., Florida Education Commissioner
Community response and calls for policy re-evaluation
The discussion reached the school board level, with board member Steve Gallon III questioning the fairness and scope of the policy, particularly in comparison to potential events involving Holocaust survivors speaking to students. The district’s response indicated that the permission requirement applied universally to all guest speakers, regardless of the topic.
As the debate continues, Walter’s social media post has resonated with thousands, highlighting the community’s divided opinions on parental control in education and the implications of state laws on school policies. Critics of the policy hope for a reconsideration, seeking a balance between legal compliance and fostering an inclusive educational environment.