Next to guns, the favorite target of lawmakers is public education. Every year Florida legislator tinker with what has to be taught in school—while still stressing FCAT and making it illegal for civics teachers to help their students register to vote.
Rep. Joseph Abruzzo, D-Wellington, and Rep. Lori Berman, D-Delray Beach, are co-sponsoring HB 1027 that would require public schools to teach students about the events surrounding Sept. 11, 2001, as well as their impact on the nation. The measure also encourages the state Board of Education to adopt standards and create tests to ensure these requirements are met.
Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, and Sen. Steve Oelrich, R-Gainesville, have already filed legislation that would add financial literacy to the “required instruction” topics. HB 331 and SB 1010 have been assigned committees.