Curriculum transparency bill signed by DeSantis

FLORIDA — Governor Ron DeSantis today signed HB 1467, which requires school districts to be transparent in the selection of instructional materials, including library and reading materials.

DeSantis signed the bill  in Daytona Beach.

The legislation aims to preserve the rights of parents to make decisions about what materials their children are exposed to in school, according to supporters of the bill.

Additionally, the bill sets 12-year term limits for school board members.

“In Florida, our parents have every right to be involved in their child’s education. We are not going to let politicians deny parents the right to know what is being taught in our schools,” said DeSantis.

“I’m proud to sign this legislation that ensures curriculum transparency,”

The bill requires school districts convening for the purpose of selecting instructional materials to notice the meetings and have them open to the public.

The school districts must also provide access to all materials at least 20 days prior to the school board taking official action on instructional materials.

The Department of Education (DOE) will be required to publish a list of materials that have been removed or discontinued by school boards as a result of an objection and disseminate the list to school districts for their consideration.

School district library media center materials and assigned school or grade-level reading lists must also be reviewed by a district employee holding a valid educational media specialist certificate and require DOE to develop an online training program for librarians and media specialists.

The superintendent of schools in each district must certify to the DOE Commissioner that all school librarians and media center specialists have taken this training.