Florida Approves Extensive Communism History Standards for Public Schools

New Standards Adopted Unanimously

The Florida State Board of Education on Thursday, November 13, 2025, unanimously approved new, comprehensive standards for teaching the history of communism in public schools. These standards, which will be implemented starting in the 2026-2027 school year, aim to educate students on the dangers and lasting consequences of communist ideologies and regimes.

The move follows legislation signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in April 2024, specifically Senate Bill 1264, which expanded upon a 2022 law establishing November 7 as 'Victims of Communism Day' in Florida schools. Governor DeSantis stated that the goal is to ensure students are 'taught the truth about the evils and dangers of Communism' and are not 'indoctrinated by Communist apologists in schools.'

Curriculum Focus and Content

The newly approved curriculum is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of how communist systems have suppressed freedoms, abused power, and inflicted widespread suffering. Key areas of instruction will include:

• The history of communist regimes in countries such as Cuba, Venezuela, China, and the former Soviet Union.
• An examination of the history of communism within the United States and domestic communist movements.
• Detailed accounts of atrocities committed under communist rule, including instances of poverty, starvation, systematic violence, and the suppression of fundamental human freedoms like speech and religion.
• A comparative analysis of political ideologies, contrasting communism and totalitarianism with American ideals of liberty, justice, and equality.
• Instruction on the methods used by the Communist Party of America to spread influence, including the recruitment of prominent individuals.
• Assignments that require students to compare Karl Marx's 'The Communist Manifesto' with the U.S. Bill of Rights.

Paul Burns, senior chancellor at the Florida Department of Education, emphasized that the standards will ensure students 'learn about the dangers and the lasting consequences of communism' and gain a better understanding of 'suppressed freedoms, abuse of power and suffering across the world at the hands of communism.'

Reactions and Criticisms

While proponents argue the standards are crucial for civic education, the decision has drawn criticism from some educators and experts. Concerns have been raised that the curriculum may present a 'distorted view of history' and could be seen as directing students 'what to think instead of how to think.' For instance, the standards' interpretation of McCarthyism and the Cold War era has been noted for softening historical reflections on the actions of former U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy. Critics, including Tawny Paul, a professor of history at the University of California, Los Angeles, have suggested the standards appear 'deeply ideological' and could create apprehension among teachers.

The new 'History of Communism' standards span 29 pages, which is approximately three times the length dedicated to American History and Civics combined in the state's curriculum. In a related development, Florida also became the first state to adopt the Phoenix Declaration, a framework that outlines educational objectives including teaching students 'that good and evil exist.'