It was the equivalent of “Show your work.” To explain its puzzling rejection of dozens of math textbooks, Florida released nearly 6,000 pages of reviewers’ comments this week, revealing an often confusing, controversial and divisive process.
A conservative activist who became a textbook reviewer sought references to race. Another reviewer did not seem to know that concepts of socio-emotional learning, such as developing resilience, should be banned, according to the state. A third noted a problem with words, comparing the salaries of men and women footballers.
As part of the formal review process, the state commissioned educators, parents, and other residents to review textbooks, in part to determine if they adhere to Florida math teaching standards – from simply adding kindergarten to interpreting graphs in statistics. of high school.
But Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, and allies in the state legislature have also fought what he calls “awakened indoctrination” in public schools and developed a series of regulations and laws designed to restrict how race, gender, and socio-emotional subjects teach. .
So reviewers were asked to mention “critical racial theory”, “culturally responsive teaching”, “social justice as it relates to CRT” and “socio-emotional learning”, according to the documents.
To illustrate how politicized and subjective these terms have become, various reviewers rarely agree on whether these concepts are present – and if so, whether books should be accepted or rejected for inclusion.
While many states and school districts hire textbook reviewers, the Florida process is very unusual. Some reviewers look at race and socio-emotional learning along with detailed points from mathematical content and pedagogy, while others seek only critical racial theory, according to the documents.
It is not clear why specific reviewers took on a narrower task, and the Florida Department of Education did not immediately respond to a list of written questions about the review process.
But in a news release in April announcing the rejection of textbooks, the department said: “The transparent review process of study materials in Florida ensures that the public has the opportunity to review and comment on the textbooks presented.
Governor DeSantis said he thought concepts such as socio-emotional learning were distracting from mathematics itself.
“The math is about getting the right answer,” he told a news conference last month, adding: “It’s not about how you feel about the problem.”
Conservative activists were involved in the review process. For example, five reviewers read “Thinking Mathematically” from Savvas Learning Company, a rejected high school textbook. Only one reviewer – Chris Allen, a parent in Indian River County and an activist with the conservative group Moms for Liberty – noted the book on the inclusion of critical racial theory and socio-emotional learning.
In detailed comments, the 33-year-old Allen objected to the mathematical problems, which she writes suggest a link between racial prejudice, age and level of education and draw attention to the pay gap between women and men.
She also cites several topics as “age-inappropriate”, such as mentions of divorce and drug and alcohol use.
In an interview, Ms. Allen, who works in engineering, said she first heard about the opportunity to review textbooks in January through a list of emails from local activists known as the Education Action Alliance. At the time, Florida had invited guest review volunteers.
She described herself as a “newcomer” to public policy, joining for the first time during the pandemic to withstand school mask mandates. She has also been active in efforts to remove what she calls “pornographic books” from school libraries.
Understand the debate over critical racial theory
Map 1 of 5
CRT is not new. Derrick Bell, a pioneer in law who died in 2011, spent decades researching what it would mean to understand racism as a constant feature of American life. He is often called the godfather of critical racial theory, but the term was coined by Kimberle Crenshaw in the 1980s.
The theory gained new notoriety. Following protests sparked by the assassination of George Floyd, critical racial theory has resurfaced as part of the reaction among conservatives – including former President Trump – who have begun using the term as a political weapon.
The current debate. Critics of the CRT say it accuses all white Americans of being racist and is used to divide the country. But critical race theorists say they are primarily concerned with understanding the racial differences that continue to exist in institutions and systems.
Problem with hot button in schools. The debate has turned school boards into battlefields, as some Republicans say the theory is invading classrooms. Education leaders, including the Association of National School Councils, say CRT is not taught in K-12 schools.
The Florida Department of Education, she said, has responded better to her concerns than the local school.
“They are for high school children,” she said. “You are still discovering who you are and understanding your place in the world. This math book tells you that depending on your age, you may have racial prejudices. “
From the documents, it seems that some reviewers did not understand that they should reject textbooks with socio-emotional learning, a mass educational movement designed to help students develop skills such as cooperation and determination. It is widely taught in colleges of education and professional development sessions.
A first-grade book published by Savvas, for example, includes concepts such as striving for “disagreement with respect” on how to solve a math problem, and encourages students to “use a growth mindset” when they are stuck.
One reviewer, apparently a teacher, noted that the book “provides good strategies for SEL.” But then the same reviewer also said that the book has no content related to socio-emotional learning. The textbook was rejected anyway.
Study Edge’s 7th Grade Accelerated Math textbook was rejected after one of the reviewers who recommended it raised questions about a “warm-up” activity that “includes the controversial topic of equal pay and discrimination.”
A look at the textbook suggests that the reviewer, an algebra teacher in Orlando, had in mind a verbal problem comparing the salaries of men and women footballers, using Megan Rapino as an example.
Many textbooks were rejected by the state despite strong reviews from math teachers, who praised the books for being committed and in-depth and rich in digital resources. Some reviewers of teachers gave detailed feedback on how different texts would help or hinder math students, often referring to their own experience in the classroom.
But in the end, for dozens of books, these comments were less important than these essential issues of race, gender, and socio-emotional learning.
In the last few weeks, some publishers have agreed to review their rejected books. Florida law also allows companies to appeal denials.
Add Comment