A controversial new law will see children as young as four taking classes in communism from the 2026-2027 school year.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the controversial new law behind a podium bearing the sign “ANTI-COMMUNIST EDUCATION” last week.
Under the new legislation, the Sunshine State’s public schools will educate children aged four to 18 about the political ideology.
DeSantis signed the bill on the 63rd anniversary of the Bay of Pigs attack, a failed attempt by Cuban exiles to launch an invasion of the island to oust Fidel Castro.
After signing the legislation, DeSantis said: “What we’re doing today builds off the stake in the ground that we planted in the state of Florida many years ago when I first became governor.
“We’re going to tell the truth about communism in the state of Florida…We’re going to tell the truth about the evils of communism.
“We’re going to tell the truth about the unprecedented death toll of the 20th century at the hands of communist tyranny.”
The bill requires pupils to be taught about “the history of communism in the United States and 49 domestic communist movements, including their histories and 50 tactics.”
Material for the mandatory classes is set to include information about the atrocities committed under Communist governments across the world, including China and some Latin American countries.
Lessons will be adapted based on age and will include comparative discussions on multiple political ideologies to assess the threat communists pose to the United States and its global partners.
The Florida Department of Education will create “age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate” classes based on grade.
DeSantis continued: “My view is we might as well give them the truth when they are in our schools because a lot of these universities will tell them how great communism is, so we are setting the proper foundation.”
Under the new bill, Florida also established the Institute for Freedom in the Americas to “preserve the ideals of a free society and promote democracy in the Americas.”
Miami Dade College President Madeline Pumariega said the bill will ensure students in Florida don’t “ever romanticises socialism.”
