Parents furious over inappropriate book content exposed to students in Florida schools.
A Florida school district claims that parents are responsible for preventing inappropriate content from reaching their children through an online reading program provided by the district. However, the Florida Department of Education disagrees.
During the 2022-2023 school year, Kristy L. Agerton-Marshall made a disturbing discovery. Her eight-year-old daughter, a third-grade student, was being exposed to books with content that is prohibited in schools by Florida laws. What’s even more concerning is that these books were recommended to her daughter through a reading program on the school district’s website.
“As a parent, I’m frustrated and angry. I just want my child to learn about American history, not be exposed to discussions about gender identity,” said Kristy Agerton-Marshall. “I searched online for books on American history for my daughter to read and couldn’t find any. Instead, there’s an abundance of LGBTQ and gender ideology content.”
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Mrs. Agerton-Marshall expressed her frustration with not receiving answers and being told that it’s her responsibility to block the inappropriate content. She emphasized that she only discovers the content after her daughter has already been exposed to it, as it is often hidden within the books.
After sharing her discovery on social media, Mrs. Agerton-Marshall realized that many other parents shared her outrage.
Ryan Kennedy, Program Manager of Education Policy & Advocacy for Florida Citizens Alliance, stated, “Many counties in Florida are not taking proactive measures to remove this inappropriate material, despite it being illegal.”
The Books
During the 2022-2023 school year, Mrs. Agerton-Marshall’s daughter, a third-grader at Bratt Elementary, was exposed to books with content prohibited by Florida laws. These books were recommended to her through a reading program on her personal Chromebook while completing her Accelerated Reader assignments.
Even with “strict parental settings,” Mrs. Agerton-Marshall’s daughter encountered the same prohibited content as a fourth-grader at Byrneville Elementary, a charter school, during school hours using her district-issued Chromebook.
One of the books, titled ”My Sister Daisey,” provides a gentle introduction to gender identity and acceptance, according to a book review by Andrew Hacket.
A screenshot provided by Mrs. Agerton-Marshall shows that the search term “LGBTQ” resulted in 10 books selected for her daughter by the “myON” reading program.
Another book, “People of Pride” by Chase Clemesha, features the biographies of 25 LGBTQ Americans.
“Each District School Board is Responsible”
The Florida Department of Education confirmed that providing online access to these books violates Florida laws. According to Cailey Myers, Communications Director for the Florida DOE, each district school board is responsible for the content made available to students.
Florida Statute (F.S.), section 1006.28(2)(a)1., states that “Each district school board is responsible for the content of all instructional materials and any other materials used in a classroom, made available in a school library, or included on a reading list.”
Ms. Myers also emphasized that parents have the right to object to specific materials, and districts must have processes in place to address these objections.
House Bill 1069, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, requires districts to remove materials objected to due to pornographic content or depiction of sexual conduct within five school days. House Bill 1467 mandates elementary schools to publish a searchable list of materials in their library media centers and reading lists on their websites.
‘Top-Quality, Comprehensive Education’
The Epoch Times reached out to Escambia County Public Schools Superintendent Keith Leonard for comment. Cody Strother, Communications Director for the District, stated that Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody believes that the law applies to formal classroom instruction but not to self-selected library materials.
Parents in Escambia County Public Schools have the ability to restrict their students’ access to objectionable material. The district has provided parents with a new process to limit their students’ library media access through the Focus Grade Portal.
The district’s Information Technology team is continuously updating security measures to ensure appropriate internet accessibility. The district is committed to providing students with a top-quality education while complying with state statutes.
Ms. Myers highlighted that Florida has comprehensive rules and statutes in place to protect students and parents’ rights. She warned that districts and superintendents who fail to follow Florida law are putting themselves at risk.
In response, Linda Germain, vice president of marketing for Renaissance Learning, stated that their product allows districts to determine access to specific titles in accordance with local laws and guidelines.
What steps can be taken to empower parents to have a say in the content their children are exposed to through online programs
Om.” This includes online programs and resources provided by the school district.
The Florida Department of Education emphasized that parents should not be burdened with the responsibility of preventing inappropriate content from reaching their children through online reading programs. Instead, it is the duty of the district school boards to ensure that all materials and resources provided to students comply with Florida laws and regulations.
However, Mrs. Agerton-Marshall’s experience and the response she received from the school district suggest that this responsibility is not being effectively fulfilled. Parents like Mrs. Agerton-Marshall are left frustrated and concerned about the exposure of their children to content that goes against their values and beliefs.
The availability of books discussing gender identity and LGBTQ-related topics in an online reading program targeted at young students raises questions about the appropriateness of the content and whether it aligns with the educational objectives of the program. While it is important to promote inclusivity and diversity in education, it should be done in a manner that respects the values and beliefs of all families.
The disagreement between the Florida Department of Education and the school district highlights a broader issue in the education system. Ensuring that students receive a well-rounded and age-appropriate education requires a collaborative effort between parents, educators, and policymakers. There should be clear guidelines and standards in place to regulate the content of educational materials and resources, especially those delivered online.
While it is essential to provide students with access to a variety of literature, it is equally important to ensure that the content is suitable for their age group and does not infringe upon any laws or regulations. It is the responsibility of the district school boards to scrutinize and validate the content provided to students through online programs and resources.
In conclusion, the disagreement between the Florida Department of Education and the school district regarding the responsibility for preventing inappropriate content from reaching students through an online reading program highlights the complexities of providing a well-rounded education while respecting the values and beliefs of all families. There is a need for clearer guidelines and standards in place to regulate the content of educational materials and resources, particularly those delivered online. It is crucial for district school boards to fulfill their responsibility of ensuring that all materials provided to students comply with Florida laws and regulations. Empowering parents to have a say in the content their children are exposed to through online programs is also a necessary step towards fostering trust and collaboration between parents and the education system.
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