MIAMI — Parents and community members could soon have an enhanced role in helping pick books in Florida's schools, under legislation approved Thursday that comes as a growing number of titles are under fire in school board meetings around the state and country.
The Florida Department of Education would also be required to compile a list of instructional materials that Florida schools have barred or removed as a result of an objection and share it with districts so they can use it to make decisions.
The combined effects, proponents say, will allow communities to know exactly what books and materials students have access to at school. However, educators and Democratic state lawmakers are concerned that the state might be empowering activists to ban books, a move they worry could cut student access to books that other parents may deem important.
