Florida adds another publisher to elementary math textbook list, pulling it from reject list

After rejecting dozens of math textbooks this month for containing “prohibited topics” that included references to critical race theory, the Florida Department of Education left public elementary schools with only one publisher to choose from when selecting course books for the coming school year.

But FDOE officials, without any explanation, have added textbooks from a second publisher whose learning materials are deemed appropriate for elementary school students. Erie, Pa.-based Big Ideas Learning, LLC joins Accelerate Learning's STEMscopes as the only two math textbook publishers to get approved by state reviewers.

The decision comes at crucial time for school districts statewide, which are in the process of reevaluating which math instructional materials they will use for the next six years.

With only one authorized publisher, educators feared that Accelerate Learning would be unable to meet demand in Florida, home to some of the nation’s largest school districts.

Taking on textbooks:

• List of math textbooks tossed by Florida for CRT, social emotional learning or failing state standards
• Photo examples of some of the math textbooks Florida says it found 'problematic' in K-12
• Florida schools grapple with questions after state rejects historic number of math books

Earlier this month, the FDOE announced it had disapproved what it said was a record number of math textbooks – 54 of 134 – submitted by publishers. More than half the disallowed textbooks incorporated “prohibited topics or unsolicited strategies, including CRT,” while others were not allowed because publishers “rebranded” Common Core Standards.

The titles of any textbooks considered unacceptable were not immediately disclosed by state officials. They later released the titles, but did not indicate specifically why certain textbooks were deemed inappropriate. Most textbooks not allowed were for students in elementary grades, kindergarten through fifth grade.

The Sun-Sentinel reported Monday that another textbook company, New Jersey-based Savvas Learning may also get FDOE approval for its K-5 math books.

The decision to not accept some math textbooks are part of Gov. Ron DeSantis’s effort to aggressively push back against what he calls liberal cultural values and “woke indoctrination.”

The education department had informed publishers in June 2021 to align textbook content with state laws by not including “culturally responsive teaching.” Publishers can appeal the rejection and can revise book submissions.

Previous coverage:As DeSantis administration rejects textbooks, only one publisher allowed for K-5 math classes in Florida

Big Ideas, which includes diversity statement, gets a second chance

The Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards for MATH from Big Ideas Learning, LLC for kindergarten through fifth grade textbooks were originally not recommended and did not meet criteria when the list of rejected publishers was released April 18. Other textbooks added to the list of approved instructional materials are from Math Nation (a division of Study Edge), which is now available for seventh grade accelerated math and Algebra 2 Honors.

At the time of publication, the DOE website did not explain why the list was updated. Thursday, DOE spokesperson Cassie Palelis said in an email more books were included in the adoption list because they removed "woke content" and made other changes to meet state standards.

"We hope to add additional instructional materials to the state adoption list once as additional publishers address our concerns and meet our standards," she said. 

Big Ideas Learning's website lists Ron Larson, who has a doctorate in mathematics, and Laurie Boswell, a math consultant with decades in math education, as the authors.

Like Accelerate Learning's diversity statement on its website, Big Ideas Learning's website includes a blog post titled "Equity in Action: How to Address Diversity and Inclusion" that appears to bump up against a recently passed law restricting discussions of race in the classroom. 

In the blog post, the author reviews implicit bias, which suggests people can act on the basis of prejudice and stereotypes without unconsciously or without intent.

"High expectations should be set for all learners and if teachers have biases, they should work to conquer those biases through unlearning and becoming uncomfortable so that they can embrace ALL students' diverse backgrounds," the blog post reads.

DOE, however, published a math problem highlighting implicit bias as an example of "problematic elements of the recently reviewed instructional materials."

On Friday, Gov. DeSantis signed House Bill 7, also known as the "Stop WOKE Act." The new law, which goes into effect July 1, prohibits any teaching that could make students feel they bear personal responsibility for historic wrongs because of their race, color, sex or national origin. It forbids teaching that "an individual, by virtue of his or her race, color, sex, or national origin, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously."

More:DeSantis signs into law ‘Stop WOKE Act’ to restrict race discussions in Florida

More on Accelerate Learning

The lone contender for elementary school math textbooks was Accelerate Learning, a company out of Houston, Texas.

According to the Accelerate Learning's website, the math book for Florida was "built from the ground up to the Florida B.E.S.T. by practicing educators using the flexible 5E lesson model."

The K-5 math books were also created in partnership with Rice University.

The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm, acquired Accelerate Learning on Dec. 20, 2018, according to the firm's website.

During that time, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin was the co-CEO of the firm. Youngkin resigned in 2020 to run for office in Virginia. He had been with the company for 25 years.

He campaigned by siding with parents frustrated with school closures over COVID-19 and the belief that classwork had grown too tied to discussions dealing with cultural and racial differences.

When he took power as governor, Youngkin immediately signed an executive order to "end the use of inherently divisive concepts, including critical race theory, and restoring excellence in K-12 public education in the commonwealth," a measure that's comparable to DeSantis' "Stop WOKE Act" and Parental Rights In Education Act, one critics call the “Don’t Say Gay” law.

Contact Ana Goñi-Lessan at AGoniLessan@tallahassee.com and follow her on Twitter @goni_lessan. 

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