The Florida Education Association (FEA) and the United Faculty of Florida have filed a petition challenging a new rule from the Florida Department of Education. The contested rule, known as State Board of Education Rule 6A-14.092, requires college professors and graduate assistants to submit final syllabi for general education courses through a state-approved program 45 days before classes begin. This requirement is set to take effect shortly before the Spring 2026 semester.
According to the FEA and United Faculty of Florida, this rule represents an unlawful extension of agency authority that contravenes both academic freedom and campus safety. They argue that the timeline is not based on any existing statute but was created by the Department of Education. The groups claim this makes it difficult for faculty to adjust course content in response to changing circumstances, such as fluctuating enrollment or unexpected events.
Robert Cassanello, President of United Faculty of Florida, stated: “The latest rule from the Florida Department of Education points to a continued attack on academic freedom from the state of Florida. Professors are experts in their field and should be able to modify their instruction based on the development of events or circumstances out of their control. Imagine a hurricane that closes the school down—should students not be able to expect flexibility from their professors? Furthermore, every college in Florida has a responsibility to keep its staff and students safe both from physical harm and intellectual theft. Through this rule, the Department of Education has overstepped its statutory legal authority and is forcing professors to comply with the use of a public-facing platform that serves to place a target on the backs of our professors and students. More than being an overreach, it is flat out dangerous.”
The petition also claims that requiring public access to detailed syllabi could create security risks by disclosing classroom dates, times, and locations.
The filing cites language from state law: “The Florida Administrative Procedures Act mandates that agencies may exercise only the authority that is granted to them by the legislature. Agency action constitutes an ‘invalid exercise of delegated legislative authority’ if an agency ‘goes beyond the powers, functions, and duties delegated by the Legislature.’”
Andrew Spar, President of FEA, said: “When an unelected board passes a rule to micromanage how professors teach a class, they not only demonstrate how little they understand the teaching profession, but they also demonstrate how little they respect it. This is a continued pattern by the Florida Department of Education to undermine academic freedom in our higher education institutions. The law is clear: agencies cannot impose conditions on educators that the Legislature never authorized. Florida’s college professors and graduate assistants work hard each day to ensure every student is valued and respected. We ask that the Department of Education treat our educators with the same level of respect and stop adding unnecessary conditions.”
The FEA represents about 120,000 members including PreK-12 teachers, higher education faculty, educational staff professionals, students preparing for teaching careers at colleges and universities across Florida as well as retired education employees.
