On Wednesday, the State Board of Education passed a rule that would prohibit Florida State Colleges from using public funds for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs, activities, or policies. The rule pass bans schools in the Florida College System from using state or federal funds “to administer programs that categorize individuals based on race or sex for the purpose of differential or preferential treatment.”
The established rules follow Governor Ron DeSantis’s conservative target on education in the state, where he signed a law last year that dismantles DEI programs in public colleges and universities.
Representative Felicia Robinson issued the following statement:
“The war that has been waged on education in Florida schools is setting us back in time. DEI initiatives are meant to uplift and include students with identities that have been historically excluded; prohibiting DEI funding will hurt all of our students and their communities. The elimination of these initiatives will deprive students of exposure to varied perspectives, hindering their ability to navigate an increasingly diverse world. Education is the foundation of our society. We must use our voting power to fight back against policies that do nothing but harm and dismantle that foundation. We must recognize that Florida belongs to each and every one of us, and we have to remain engaged to push back against these harmful policies.”
