DeSantis Turns Florida into a Hub for Classical Education, Is a National Trend Next
Florida’s push for classical education under DeSantis may spark a national movement among conservatives
Florida, Ron DeSantis, Classical Education, School Choice, Conservatives
TALLAHASSEE: Florida is really stepping up its game in classical education. It’s becoming a hotspot for this schooling style, especially among conservatives looking to make a mark nationally.
More states are jumping on the bandwagon, focusing on liberal arts and classic texts. But Florida, led by Governor Ron DeSantis, is taking it a step further by creating a supportive environment for both public and private classical schools.
This move is part of a broader strategy by Florida’s GOP to reshape education. With the possibility of another Trump presidency, there’s a good chance classical education could spread even more across the country.
Keri Ingraham from the Discovery Institute, a conservative think tank, mentioned that Florida is leading the charge on these education reforms. She believes other conservative states will soon follow suit.
Classical education aims to instill moral character and civic virtue in students. It focuses on the liberal arts and sciences, drawing heavily from Western civilization’s classic texts and ancient history, as outlined in a new Florida law.
Supporters see it as a response to how traditional schools handle social issues, while critics argue it glosses over important historical facts.
DeSantis often criticizes “wokeness” in education, claiming that classical education reflects the values of the founding fathers. He’s enthusiastic about its growth, calling it beneficial for students.
Notable figures, like Erika Donalds, are backing classical education in Florida. DeSantis has also revamped the state’s only publicly funded liberal arts university to adopt a classical curriculum.
In a significant move, Florida introduced a new teacher certification for classical schools, which has drawn criticism from the state’s largest teachers union and many Democrats.
Additionally, Florida became the first state to allow the Classic Learning Test for college admissions, making it an alternative to the SAT or ACT. Over 120,000 students have taken this test since the policy started.
DeSantis’ office directed inquiries to Richard Corcoran, who emphasized the importance of recognizing classical schools in higher education admissions.
Classical education isn’t a new concept, but it’s gaining traction, especially post-COVID, as parents seek different options for their kids.
The rise of school choice policies is also helping classical schools thrive, making private education more accessible through state-funded scholarships.
Since 2020, at least 250 classical schools have opened across the nation, with 18 of them in Florida alone.
Florida now boasts over 50 classical schools, serving nearly 14,000 students, making it second only to Texas in this regard.
Experts believe that as more states adopt educational choice programs, classical schools will continue to grow. For instance, a school board in South Florida recently decided to convert an underutilized campus into a classical program to attract families.
In April, Florida passed a law to support classical schools with unique policies. This includes a new certification that allows teachers to bypass some standard credentialing requirements.
Democrats opposed this move, arguing it gives unfair advantages to classical schools. The Florida Education Association also voiced concerns, stating that parents deserve to know about teacher qualifications.
Some advocates for traditional public schools criticized the certification, suggesting it lowers standards for teachers. However, Florida’s Education Commissioner defended the policy, stating it’s about providing more choices for parents.
The new certification is expected to help classical charter schools, which, like traditional public schools, face challenges in finding certified teachers.
At Jacksonville Classical Academy, a significant number of teachers are applying for this new certification, which eases some of the burdens they face. This helps them compete with private schools that don’t have the same certification requirements.
As John Rood, the founder of the academy, put it, “We’ve made teaching harder than it is.”