Florida Bill Aims to Educate Kindergarteners on Communism

Florida Republicans are pushing forward House Bill 1349, aimed at educating students, starting from kindergarten, about the “threat of communism.” The bill, which advanced in a 10-2 vote by the PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee, proposes a curriculum that includes the history of communism in the U.S., atrocities under communism abroad, and its perceived 20th-century threat to the U.S. and allies. A Communism History Task Force, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis, will develop this curriculum.

The bill is part of a broader initiative by Florida Republicans and DeSantis to introduce anti-communism education in schools. This includes the observance of a Victims of Communism Day every November 7, with high school students receiving at least 45 minutes of instruction related to communism.

Originally, the bill included teachings on “the philosophy and lineages of Communist thought, including cultural Marxism,” but was amended to remove the reference to cultural Marxism. Republican state Representative Chuck Brannan, a co-sponsor of the bill, emphasized the goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of communism’s impact without resorting to indoctrination or fear-mongering.

Critics of the bill express concerns over censorship and the potential for a biased curriculum. Julie Meadows-Keefe of Florida Moms for Accurate Education highlighted the importance of including discussions on censorship and book bans in communist nations within the curriculum, drawing parallels to Florida’s recent educational policies.

The bill also faces criticism for potentially dividing students, with Democratic state Representative Patricia Williams opposing it for this reason. If passed, the curriculum changes would be implemented for the 2026-2027 school year. A similar bill in the state Senate initially included the Third Reich as a “foreign communist movement” but was amended to focus on “Marxism-Leninism and the Russian Revolution of 1917.”