Do Florida schools need to teach more black history?

The Tallahassee Inter-Civic Council thinks so.

Members of the civil rights group showed up at Bill McCollum's office this week, asking the Florida attorney general to force schools to teach more African-American history.

Lawmakers required the instruction back in 1994, the group noted. Yet a state Department of Education report shows that only 19 of 67 counties had students enrolled in black history classes in 2007-08, it added.

"We're here this morning to encourage our attorney general to follow the law," the Rev. William Foutz, president of the council, said at a news conference, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.

A handful of Leon civic leaders got in on the act, WCTV reports, and even Gov. Charlie Crist chimed in. "Well, we need to honor the law. We're a nation of laws," Crist told the Democrat after meeting briefly with the group.

But does the law actually require schools to offer semester or yearlong courses in black history, as the Inter-Civic Council suggests? Not exactly.

Florida statute 1003.42 ("Required instruction") offers a long list of content that schools must offer to students. It includes not only "The history of African Americans," but also:

• The study of Hispanic contributions to the United States;
• The study of women's contributions to the United States;
• The history of the Holocaust;
• Flag education;
• The elementary principles of agriculture;
• The true effects of all alcoholic and intoxicating liquors and beverages and narcotics upon the human body and mind, and
• Kindness to animals.

FDOE spokesman Tom Butler told WCTV that the state is confident that schools are teaching these subjects. But can you imagine if schools were required to have credit-bearing classes on all these? Educators already complain the school day isn't long enough. Just a thought to ponder during Black History Month.

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Comments

[Monica]

Black History is a part of History. That is the problem, Black Americans contributions have been separated from the history books and it is time for the real story to be told. We have had enough of His-story---it is time for the truth. Anyone, no matter what color or race they are, if they are a part of our history then everybody should know about them. Those who don't want Black History taught in schools or to just know the FACTS--don't want the world to change and I say to that person, WAKE UP!

[Monica]

Black History is a part of History. That is the problem, Black Americans contributions have been separated from the history books and it is time for the real story to be told. We have had enough of His-story---it is time for the truth. Anyone, no matter what color or race they are, if they are a part of our history then everybody should know about them. Those who don't want Black History taught in schools or to just know the FACTS--don't want the world to change and I say to that person, WAKE UP!

[Ava]

I do not mind my child learning about black history if equal time is spent learning about Italian, Irish, Polish, Indian, German, and all other cultural and diverse histories. Wouldn't that be true EQUALITY?

[tara]

How about teaching history. Period.

black history could be covered in one or two days.
yep, that's about all they'd need.

[Julia]

When they start teaching more social studies all together sure. Until then no. Social Studies and History are in terrible shape due to the FCAT. History needs to be taught more in general. This year, they did not even go over Columbus Day - the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria. So, no, until those things are being taught as well we don't need more "specialized" areas. History needs to be taught in a balanced manner. I would be all for more Black History Month when kids can tell me what the Constitution and Declaration of Independence are.

[BBMOM]

I believe all the classes above have merit and should be taught. I don't believe they should be separate semester or year long classes. It seems that several of the classes could be taught under one elective.

[Grammar Nazi]

I think they need to teach the basics: English, Math, Critical Thinking, etc. before the 'special interest' classes. I can't remember the last time I had a conversation with anyone under the age of 25 that knew how to speak English properly. Sad. I guess it's not just a "FL problem" either. When AOL came out with: "You've got mail", I couldn't believe it. (Correctly, it would have been: "You have mail". Sigh....