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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - DeSantis's reign of terror on education is Trump's model
If Americans want a glimpse of Trump-style education policy in action, they should look to Florida. Over the last six years, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has turned the state into a laboratory for a hard-right agenda, disguised as 'parental rights' but aimed at systematically dismantling public education. Under the banner of culture wars, Florida has censored classroom discussions, politicized school boards and driven teachers out of the profession, undermining not just what students learn but whether they learn at all. It's a blueprint for control, not for education. Start with book-banning. Florida leads the country in book-banning, with 4,561 books banned in schools in 33 of the state's 67 school districts. Banned books, including award-winning authors like Maya Angelou, Saul Bellow and Toni Morrison, classics from Proust to Ovid, bestselling authors like Patricia Cornwell and James Patterson, and left-leaning social commentators like Jon Stewart. This wave of book-bans aligns with broader efforts in Florida to reshape school curricula. The state's new educational standards include language suggesting that enslaved people may have developed skills that 'could be applied for their personal benefit.' The state also placed limits on African American studies programs, claiming an Advanced Placement African American Studies course lacked educational value and violated state law. Gay and transgender students and educators have come under increased scrutiny. Legislation and administrative rules have imposed restrictions on which bathrooms transgender students may use and have limited how gender identity and sexual orientation can be discussed in classrooms. Under laws signed by DeSantis, teachers face legal risks for using the preferred pronouns of transgender students without explicit parental consent. One notable case occurred in Brevard County, where a beloved veteran teacher's contract was not renewed because she referred to a student by a name chosen several years prior to the adoption of the rule. Meanwhile, new laws require parental consent for basic services like nurses' visits, accessing library books and watching PG films like 'Frosty the Snowman.' Because of these rules, tens of thousands of Florida students lose out because their parents have not filled out consent forms. School nurses risk losing their jobs for something as simple as putting a bandage on a scraped knee without prior parental consent. The burden falls heavily on parents, who must navigate a maze of new forms, and on school staff, who are overwhelmed by the surge in paperwork. Many frontline educators and support workers live in fear of backlash from activist groups like Moms for Liberty, whose influence has turned everyday decisions into political flashpoints. DeSantis has also gone to war with higher education, including the takeover of the New College of Florida. High-ranking administrators were fired and diversity programs eliminated. Scores of faculty have quit. DeSantis's hostility toward public education knows no limits. His state ranks dead last in teacher pay, Florida just posted the worst national test scores in more than 20 years and Florida has a universal school voucher program that disproportionately benefits higher-income students. None of this has escaped the attention of Trump, whose executive orders explicitly encourage states to turn federal block grants into voucher programs. His latest proposed budget also slashes $4.5 billion in support for low-income students, undermining programs that help with high school completion, college access and work-study opportunities. He proposes cutting teacher quality initiatives, funding for Howard University, the Office for Civil Rights and bilingual student programs. His proposed budget explicitly prohibits funding for progressive nonprofits and DEI programs. Will Republicans in Congress realize that Trump's assault on education hurts the very institutions their communities rely on? Schools and universities aren't just economic drivers in their districts, they're centers of local pride, identity and opportunity. In places like Brevard County, where we recently held a town hall, hope is being replaced by fear. Parents, educators, students and community leaders all expressed shame and fury at the actions of their local school board and state policymakers. Trump and DeSantis have taken the bullying approach to governing to new extremes. There is no honest debate, no give and take, no compromise. It is a relentless drive to push, divide and control. Cruelty is the point, and the negative consequences of children, families and educators aren't a side effect — it's a strategy. Forty-two years ago, Republican President Ronald Reagan sounded the alarm on the state of American education by releasing 'A Nation at Risk.' Today, that title applies to much more than our schools: our economy, our democracy, our environment, our global standing and our moral compass. But no one is more vulnerable than 50 million American school children living under an immoral, unethical and criminal president. They cannot vote. They have no lobby. They are counting on us to fight back. Jennifer Jenkins is a former Brevard County School Board member and chairwoman of Educated We Stand, a nonprofit committed to resisting right-wing extremism in Florida schools. Arne Duncan is a former U. S. Secretary of Education. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
DeSantis's reign of terror on education is Trump's model
If Americans want a glimpse of Trump-style education policy in action, they should look to Florida. Over the last six years, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has turned the state into a laboratory for a hard-right agenda, disguised as 'parental rights' but aimed at systematically dismantling public education. Under the banner of culture wars, Florida has censored classroom discussions, politicized school boards and driven teachers out of the profession, undermining not just what students learn but whether they learn at all. It's a blueprint for control, not for education. Start with book-banning. Florida leads the country in book-banning, with 4,561 books banned in schools in 33 of the state's 67 school districts. Banned books, including award-winning authors like Maya Angelou, Saul Bellow and Toni Morrison, classics from Proust to Ovid, bestselling authors like Patricia Cornwell and James Patterson, and left-leaning social commentators like Jon Stewart. This wave of book-bans aligns with broader efforts in Florida to reshape school curricula. The state's new educational standards include language suggesting that enslaved people may have developed skills that 'could be applied for their personal benefit.' The state also placed limits on African American studies programs, claiming an Advanced Placement African American Studies course lacked educational value and violated state law. Gay and transgender students and educators have come under increased scrutiny. Legislation and administrative rules have imposed restrictions on which bathrooms transgender students may use and have limited how gender identity and sexual orientation can be discussed in classrooms. Under laws signed by DeSantis, teachers face legal risks for using the preferred pronouns of transgender students without explicit parental consent. One notable case occurred in Brevard County, where a beloved veteran teacher's contract was not renewed because she referred to a student by a name chosen several years prior to the adoption of the rule. Meanwhile, new laws require parental consent for basic services like nurses' visits, accessing library books and watching PG films like 'Frosty the Snowman.' Because of these rules, tens of thousands of Florida students lose out because their parents have not filled out consent forms. School nurses risk losing their jobs for something as simple as putting a bandage on a scraped knee without prior parental consent. The burden falls heavily on parents, who must navigate a maze of new forms, and on school staff, who are overwhelmed by the surge in paperwork. Many frontline educators and support workers live in fear of backlash from activist groups like Moms for Liberty, whose influence has turned everyday decisions into political flashpoints. DeSantis has also gone to war with higher education, including the takeover of the New College of Florida. High-ranking administrators were fired and diversity programs eliminated. Scores of faculty have quit. DeSantis's hostility toward public education knows no limits. His state ranks dead last in teacher pay, Florida just posted the worst national test scores in more than 20 years and Florida has a universal school voucher program that disproportionately benefits higher-income students. None of this has escaped the attention of Trump, whose executive orders explicitly encourage states to turn federal block grants into voucher programs. His latest proposed budget also slashes $4.5 billion in support for low-income students, undermining programs that help with high school completion, college access and work-study opportunities. He proposes cutting teacher quality initiatives, funding for Howard University, the Office for Civil Rights and bilingual student programs. His proposed budget explicitly prohibits funding for progressive nonprofits and DEI programs. Will Republicans in Congress realize that Trump's assault on education hurts the very institutions their communities rely on? Schools and universities aren't just economic drivers in their districts, they're centers of local pride, identity and opportunity. In places like Brevard County, where we recently held a town hall, hope is being replaced by fear. Parents, educators, students and community leaders all expressed shame and fury at the actions of their local school board and state policymakers. Trump and DeSantis have taken the bullying approach to governing to new extremes. There is no honest debate, no give and take, no compromise. It is a relentless drive to push, divide and control. Cruelty is the point, and the negative consequences of children, families and educators aren't a side effect — it's a strategy. Forty-two years ago, Republican President Ronald Reagan sounded the alarm on the state of American education by releasing 'A Nation at Risk.' Today, that title applies to much more than our schools: our economy, our democracy, our environment, our global standing and our moral compass. But no one is more vulnerable than 50 million American school children living under an immoral, unethical and criminal president. They cannot vote. They have no lobby. They are counting on us to fight back. Jennifer Jenkins is a former Brevard County School Board member and chairwoman of Educated We Stand, a nonprofit committed to resisting right-wing extremism in Florida schools. Arne Duncan is a former U. S. Secretary of Education.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Medgar Evers at 100: Event to celebrate his fight for justice
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute and Mississippi Votes Action Fund will celebrate Medgar Evers' 100th birthday. 'Medgar Evers at 100: A Legacy of Justice, A Future of Change' will celebrate Evers' lifelong fight for democracy, justice, and youth leadership. The event will be held at the Jackson Convention Center Complex from June 27–29, 2025. Participants can register here. Remembering Medgar Evers 'My father, Medgar Evers, dedicated his life to the fight for justice, believing that everyday people build true democracy,' said Reena Evers-Everette, executive director of the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute. 'In the face of adverse political winds, much like those my father confronted, we will use his 100th birthday as a clarion call to the next generation to be voices of courage and justice and continue his mission for justice and equality for all.' Keynote speakers and panelists include: Stacey Abrams – Founder of Fair Fight Action, & New York Times Bestselling Author Joy-Ann Reid – Award-Winning Political Analyst, MSNBC National Correspondent & New York Times Bestselling Author Eddie S. Glaude Jr. – Chair of African American Studies at Princeton University & New York Times Bestselling Author W. Ralph Eubanks – Award-Winning Writer, Author, Essayist, & Professor of English and Southern Studies at the University of Mississippi 'As we reflect on the legacy of Medgar Evers, we are reminded that democracy is not a spectator sport—it demands action, commitment, and courage,' said Arekia Bennett Scott, executive director of Mississippi Votes Action Fund. 'This convening is an opportunity to equip the next generation with the tools to lead, organize, and continue the fight for justice in Mississippi and beyond.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Virginia governor vetoed bill to make Black history classes count towards graduation. What's next?
Black members of the 1887-88 Virginia General Assembly. Then-state Sen. John Robinson is pictured on the far left of the back row. (Photo courtesy of Encyclopedia of Virginia) A Northern Virginia faith leader and parent said she will continue asking state lawmakers to make two African-American history courses count towards the state's graduation requirements for history, after the governor — who vetoed the measure and whose four-year term is sunsetting — leaves office. Pastor Michelle Thomas, president of the NAACP Loudoun Branch, and Robin Reaves Burke of the Loudoun Freedom Center proposed the concept to state Del. David Reid, D-Loudoun, shortly after the commonwealth added African American History and AP African American Studies to the list of courses permitted to be taught in public high schools. Sen. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico, and Reid successfully passed the proposal through the General Assembly with some amendments. On March 24, Gov. Glenn Youngkin proposed an amendment requiring the General Assembly to pass the proposal again in 2026, but lawmakers did not accept it. Youngkin then vetoed the bill, stating that it would cause students to miss 'key concepts essential to understanding how historical world events have shaped our modern economy, government, and international relations.' Thomas was surprised and disappointed by the decision, she said. 'You can't divorce African American history from the founding of America. It is the absolute foundation of American history, and so to try to marginalize this and say students shouldn't be learning it, or it's not as important as mainstream history, or the history that he's trying to tell is absolutely ridiculous,' Thomas said in a statement last week. Thomas said she first considered proposing the legislation after her daughter was interested in taking an African American studies course and seeking flexibility with her class schedule towards meeting her graduation requirements. Under Virginia's standard diploma requirements, students are required to take U.S. History, Virginia and U.S. Government, and either World History or Geography. The bill would have given the students the option to substitute African American History or AP African American Studies studies with World History or Geography. Virginia's diploma requirements concerning history Standard Diploma US History Virginia and U.S. Government One other course in World History or Geography Advanced diploma All four are required. Proposed standard diploma (House Bill 1824 in the 2025 GA session – vetoed by governor) US History Virginia and U.S. Government World History or Geography or African American Studies or AP African American Studies 'While I am supportive of expanding choices in what classes students may take to satisfy graduation requirements, we must ensure that classes that replace others are germane to the comprehensive goals of high school education standards,' Youngkin wrote in his veto statement. But Thomas defended the proposal. 'We're not saying 'do away' or 'you can take this or that.' You can take all of them,' Thomas said. 'You can take World History II, if parents feel like World History I and World History II are important. But for those parents (and students) who believe African American history is also and equally important, allow them to get graduation credit for it.' She said she also believes the governor's decision falls in line with a national agenda to minimize or remove public references to Black history, and could align with his future political plans. The curriculum has been continually debated by the public, education leaders and Youngkin's administration during the governor's entire time in office, which concludes in January. The first AP African American studies course was added last year, but not without controversy — Youngkin's education department proposed dozens of revisions before its approval, the Washington Post reported. Reid said in a statement that he was disappointed by the governor's decision and plans to reintroduce the bill at the next session, beginning in January. 'The governor chose to ignore the very values he outlined in Executive Order One on his first day in office — his stated commitment to teach the full story of American history,' said Reid. 'Instead, he allowed political fear to override principle and missed an opportunity to give parents and students more choice in how they learn our shared history.' He also said Virginia history and African American history are important parts of America's origin story, citing the significance of the first House of Burgesses — the first democratically-elected legislative body in what would become America — and the arrival of the first Africans in present-day Hampton, both defining events that took place in Virginia roughly two weeks and 40 miles apart. 'Virginia history is African American history, is American history,' Reid said. 'Our children deserve to learn the truth of our shared story — and they deserve the freedom to choose how they learn it.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
U-M Dearborn's Black Celebratory honors students who've achieved so much
What's in a name? In most cases, simply replying 'a lot' would suffice. But in the case of an annual event held at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, a name represents more than I could ever have known. Since 2012, U-M Dearborn's annual Black Celebratory has been held on the last Thursday of April, a few days ahead of the university's commencement ceremony. This event is the highlight of my year, and as a U-M Dearborn alum, I've had the privilege to either host or co-host the Black Celebratory each year since its inception. The Black Celebratory is unique and sacred, and it accomplishes three things: 1) Recognizes and celebrates the academic success of African American students, 2) Provides an opportunity for campus faculty, staff, family and friends to honor graduating seniors. 3) Serves as a reunion-like reminder that upholding black excellence is a collective responsibility. Minutes after the program is over, especially in the early years, I'll often be asked by students' parents why I want to host or be part of this event every year. I smile, and tell them the simple answer: It's fun, and it's not about me, it's about the students. As host or co-host, it's my job to read each student's name and accomplishments with enthusiasm ― and this comes easily and naturally to me, simply because of what each name represents. Many students also add notes about their academic accomplishments, post-graduation plans, or details about their lives. The students each make their way down the illustrious red carpet, then onto the stage where they are greeted by a faculty member from the African and African American Studies department and given an authentic Kente stole, made in Ghana, that officially becomes part of their graduation attire. More from Freep Opinion: DEI isn't about hiring quotas. It's about opportunity. U-M Dearborn has the same high academic standards as the Ann Arbor campus, but it attracts a different student body. Students at U-M Dearborn may be making their families proud by being the first to graduate college. Others are nontraditional students who began their education, and then returned years later to finish and receive their degrees. Or they may be working professionals seeking degrees to advance career or personal goals. As a commuter campus, it's a good fit for students who are juggling life and college. Many, if not all, of the graduates worked and went to school while maintaining academic scholarships, their standing on the dean's list and other academic honors, and participated in clubs or other campus groups. Some accomplished this in addition to being husbands, wives, mothers and fathers. In the early years of the event, the students being recognized were primarily receiving undergraduate degrees. But, over the years, those receiving their master's and doctoral degrees have participated in the celebratory. I have had the honor to read their names, too, totaling well over 500 individuals since 2012. Black excellence, indeed. More from Freep Opinion: Detroit principal teaches students about character, opportunity — and college But this year was extra special. There's the underlying current of diversity, equity and inclusion being challenged by the current presidential administration. In fact, in weeks prior to the Black Celebratory, the University of Michigan announced the closure of its DEI office, leaving students faculty, staff and alums, including myself, stunned. Monies absorbed within DEI efforts were shifted to the Go Blue Guarantee and the Wolverine Pathways program to help low-income students. I was momentarily concerned about the effects this DEI decision might have on programming such as the Black Celebratory. But the university raised no objections to holding the Black Celebratory, and, as the saying goes, the show must go on. Everyone involved with the event remains committed to celebrating the students who worked so hard to get to this moment. We decided to let the value of the celebratory speak for itself, woven, like Kente, in the words and speeches of students and guest speakers that night. And I'd argue the 10-year anniversary of the unexpected passing of the professor who was the brainchild of this event could not have been timed more perfectly. During this year's celebratory, the video of Dr. Ahmad Rahman, a professor of African and African American studies, was played. The video showed Rahman at the first-ever Black Celebratory in April 2012, giving a speech to explain the significance of Kente. He encouraged graduating seniors to 'remain tight' like Kente, and that all of us should 'lift as we climb.' Timely advice then, and certainly timely advice now. The celebratory has proven its worth and importance on its own. All I literally must do each year is show up, ready to celebrate and honor the latest group of African American students to cross the stage at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. I opened this year's celebratory with this African proverb: 'The river may dry up, but she keeps her name.' Changing circumstances and challenges are inevitable, but a name and its meaning never change ― and that alone will always be worth celebrating. Leah Olajide is the newsletter editor for the Detroit Free Press and a university lecturer. Submit a letter to the editor at and we may publish it online and in print. Like what you're reading? Please consider supporting local journalism and getting unlimited digital access with a Detroit Free Press subscription. We depend on readers like you. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: U-M Dearborn's Black Celebratory recognizes achievement | Opinion
