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NEA President: “Florida's continued effort to limit the educational opportunities of students is shameful”

National Education Association President Becky Pringle released the following statement on Ron DeSantis taking away Florida students freedom to learn, as the DeSantis administration moved to block Florida’s students from taking AP Psychology after also banning AP African American History classes:
Published: August 4, 2023

National Education Association President Becky Pringle released the following statement on Ron DeSantis taking away Florida students freedom to learn, as the DeSantis administration moved to block Florida’s students from taking AP Psychology after also banning AP African American History classes:

“Florida's continued effort to limit the educational opportunities of students is shameful. Book bans, demonizing our LGBTQ students, teaching that slavery had a silver lining and now more censorship of curriculum. This is a racist, misogynist, and homophobic attack on our freedoms and ignores the voice of experts in this field. Moreover, it is a slap in the face of parents and educators who want students to be prepared to succeed in our diverse and interdependent world.

“Ron DeSantis is a disgrace. It's not shocking that his extreme, hateful and unpopular policies have made him a failure not just as a governor, but as a politician at the national level.

“In Florida, 28,000 students took AP Psychology last school year, many who will be of voting age before the next election. Students and parents will remember the politicians who undermined their achievements and cut off valuable opportunities for future students to learn.”

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 The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org. 

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Great public schools for every student

The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.