Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the implementation of the most comprehensive educational standards on communism in the nation, during an event held in Miami on Thursday. The purpose is to teach students about the impact of communism in Cuba and beyond.
The announcement took place at the Brigade 2506 Museum, linked to veterans of the Bay of Pigs invasion, under a banner stating, "Teaching the Dangers of Communism." Governor DeSantis was joined by educational leaders and survivors of communist regimes. "Florida proudly stands as a beacon of freedom for those who fled the horrors of communism," DeSantis declared on his X account, emphasizing the state's commitment to comprehensive educational standards on the subject.
Approved by the Florida State Board of Education in November 2025, these new standards were enacted with the start of the 2026-2027 academic year. They target students from sixth to twelfth grade, mandating that to graduate high school, students must learn about the devastation communism has caused globally. This includes firsthand accounts from those who lived under oppressive regimes in countries like Cuba, the Soviet Union, and China.
Comprehensive Curriculum on Global Communism
The curriculum covers historical events such as the Cuban Revolution, Mao Zedong's Great Leap Forward, the Tiananmen Square Massacre, and Soviet Five-Year Plans. It also addresses the downing of the Brothers to the Rescue planes by the Cuban Air Force on February 24, 1996, which resulted in the deaths of three Cuban-Americans and a Cuban residing in the U.S.
Following a recent update, the standards now include the criminal indictment against Raúl Castro for his role in the 1996 attack, making Florida the first state to incorporate this judicial process into its official curriculum.
Educational Initiatives and Legislative Actions
Florida has also launched two elective high school courses: History of Communism 1 and 2. Furthermore, state legislation requires allocating at least 45 minutes to teaching on the Day of the Victims of Communism, observed every November 7th.
This educational initiative stems from legislative efforts led by DeSantis since 2021. In 2022, he signed a law designating November 7 as the Day of the Victims of Communism, ensuring that students learn about crimes committed under communist regimes. The mandate was expanded in 2024 with the SB 1264 law, which called for comprehensive education on communism’s global impact.
In May, DeSantis also signed HB 905 at the Bay of Pigs Museum, in front of Brigade 2506 veterans, which tightened state restrictions on dealings with Cuba, China, Russia, and Iran, among others.
Broader Anticommunist Campaign
This initiative is part of a broader anticommunist campaign aligned with the Trump administration. The former president labeled communism as "the greatest threat to America" during a July 3rd speech at Mount Rushmore, and in November 2025, declared "Anticommunism Week."
However, the curriculum has faced criticism. PEN America described it as a "dangerous recasting of McCarthyism as patriotism," warning that it might undermine educators' professional autonomy. Eduardo Gamarra, a professor at Florida International University, suggested the state was effectively creating an "ideology" and an "official manual" for teaching about communism.
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida's Communism Education Standards
What are the key components of Florida's new educational standards on communism?
The standards include comprehensive lessons on the global impact of communism, featuring historical events like the Cuban Revolution, Mao's Great Leap Forward, and the Tiananmen Square Massacre. They also cover the indictment against Raúl Castro for the 1996 downing of Brothers to the Rescue planes.
How does Florida's legislation ensure teaching about communism's impact?
The legislation mandates that students must learn about communism's impact to graduate, with at least 45 minutes dedicated to the Day of the Victims of Communism. Additionally, two elective courses on the history of communism are offered.
What criticisms have been raised about the new curriculum?
Critics, including PEN America, have argued that the curriculum may impose a particular ideology and limit educators' autonomy, likening it to a form of McCarthyism.