(NewsNation) — A school in Florida faced backlash after it asked students to get their parents’ permission to participate in a book reading by a Black author.
Many criticizing the school noted this happened during Black History Month.
Chuck Walter, founder of FriendApp.com, posted a picture on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, of a permission slip his child came home from Coral Way K-8 in Miami with.
The slip says the event name is a “Read Aloud” that had been set for Feb. 13. A description of the event said students “will participate and listen to a book written by an African American,” though did not indicate what the book would be or the author’s name.
“I had to give permission for this or else my child would not participate???” Walter wrote, tagging Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Jose Dotres in the tweet.
NBC affiliate WTVJ reports that Miami-Dade County Public Schools said the slip was sent out “in compliance with state law.”
“Permission slips were sent home because guest speakers would participate during a school-authorized education-related activity,” the district said to the station.
NewsNation has reached out to the district for comment.
A Florida law called the Parental Rights in Education Act barred lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade as well as material not deemed age-appropriate. On Aug. 2, 2023, an addition to the law was filed, NewsNation local affiliate WFLA wrote.
That rule states parental permission is required for events or activities and supplemental programs. Permission slips have to include the nature of the activity; its date and time and specific location; the type of guests or sponsors; and the method of student supervision provided.
Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. characterized news reports about the incident “a hoax” on X.
“Florida does not require a permission slip to teach African American history or to celebrate Black History Month,” Diaz Jr. said. “Any school that does this is completely in the wrong.”
However, officials have criticized the law and how it can create confusion about expectations for schools.
“I think there is a high level of ambiguity,” Miami-Dade School Board Member Steve Gallon said, according to WJTV. “I’ve requested that the administration solicit clarity from the state.”
“Is it because it’s Black history? Is it because it’s Holocaust education? Is it because it’s women’s history topics?” he said.
Supporters of the Parental Rights in Education Act say it gives families more control over what their kids are doing at school. However, its critics, such as Democratic State Rep. Fentrice Driskell, say it goes too far.
“In the context of the Gov’s war on ‘woke,’ it’s hard to read this as anything other than ludicrous at best and nefarious at worst,” Driskell wrote. “This is yet another case of unintended consequences leading to absurd results. Florida deserves leaders who can think past the next soundbite so that students don’t miss out on important opportunities.”