DEI Prohibition in Florida College System

Florida State Board of Education Implements Rule Prohibiting DEI in the College System

~ State Board also replaced “Principles of Sociology” with an American History course as an option on the list of social studies general education core courses ~

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The State Board of Education has implemented strict regulations to limit the use of public funds for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs, activities and policies in the Florida College System (FCS). The rule adopted by the Board defined, for the first time, DEI and affirmatively prohibits FCS institutions 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 Board’s decision will ensure that taxpayer funds can no longer be used to promote DEI on Florida’s 28 state college campuses.

The State Board of Education also replaced the course “Principles of Sociology” with a comprehensive general education core course in American History. The aim is to provide students with an accurate and factual account of the nation’s past, rather than exposing them to radical woke ideologies, which had become commonplace in the now replaced course.

“Higher education must return to its essential foundations of academic integrity and the pursuit of knowledge instead of being corrupted by destructive ideologies,” said Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “These actions today ensure that we will not spend taxpayers’ money supporting DEI and radical indoctrination that promotes division in our society.”

Florida remains committed to providing our students with a world-class education rooted in the pursuit of truth, rather than biased indoctrination, which is why the state’s higher education system has been ranked #1 in the nation for seven consecutive years by the U.S. News & World Report.

For any additional question regarding the State Board agenda, please visit: https://www.fldoe.org/policy/state-board-of-edu/meetings/2024/

For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.