Statewide teachers union, other groups file lawsuit challenging Florida’s library book rules

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – Several groups are now challenging Florida rules that restrict the books and media available in public schools.

A petition, which is an administrative challenge, has been filed with the state’s Administrative Hearing Division by the Florida Education Association, the Florida Freedom to Read Project and Families for Strong Public Schools.

The petitioners describe Florida Department of Education rules imposed after Governor Ron Desantis signed legislation he said would provide more transparency about the books and media available in public schools…

On Thursday, the three groups filed a petition asking a judge to prevent the state from applying the rules resulting from this law.

“When the law was passed last year, lawmakers were very deliberate in not including classroom libraries in this law,” Andrew Spar told News4JAX on Sunday’s The Morning Show. “This rule, however, extends and adds class libraries to this law.”

Spar said teachers often curate their own classroom book collections and help students find material for each, based on their level of comprehension, interests and reading ability.

Governor DeSantis and his administration have said the law is about the transparency of the program.

“In Florida, our parents have every right to participate in their child’s education,” DeSantis said during the bill’s signing in March 2022. “We’re not going to let politicians deny parents the right to know what is taught in our schools. I am proud to sign this law which ensures the transparency of study programs.

Spar pushed back on that premise, saying that these rules don’t solve any problem that actually existed…

“As I talk to teachers across the state, what they tell me is that they’ve never had parents who question books in their classroom, libraries, teachers are professionals, they buy books that are academically appropriate, that are age appropriate, and that are appropriate content with their children in mind. And so this rule is a burden. And that certainly impacts the education and access to books for our students.

It is unclear when the Administrative Hearing Division will make a decision.