The Florida State Board of Education has approved the Phoenix Declaration, a document that critics say uses neutral language to hide its real goal of changing the state’s public education system. According to the Florida Education Association (FEA), the declaration is part of an effort by special interests with significant financial backing to increase political influence in schools.
In a statement following testimony before the board, FEA representatives said: “This political campaign disguised as a declaration seeks to hand over control of our classrooms to political operatives and shift blame, pointing fingers rather than offering real solutions to the challenges facing our schools, students, and communities. As we testified before the board today, educators don’t need a politically-motivated statement to ensure that our school employees help our students—our children—to be kind and respectful citizens every day. Educators and parents know well that we are charged with helping children grow and learn to be their best selves, and educators and parents have long worked hand in hand to make students’ dreams come to life.”
The FEA urged state officials to focus on funding public schools fully, addressing teacher shortages, and ensuring all children have access to quality neighborhood schools. The association stated: “Instead of chasing ideological agendas, the State Board of Education members should focus on what truly helps students: making sure public schools are fully funded, addressing the critical teacher and staff shortage, and guaranteeing that every child has access to a strong, neighborhood public school.”
The FEA concluded by emphasizing support for local investment in education rather than outside influence: “Florida’s students and families deserve investment in their public schools, not a political pledge written by outside groups.”
The Florida Education Association represents more than 120,000 members across PreK-12 teachers, higher education faculty, educational staff professionals, student teachers-in-training at colleges and universities, as well as retired education employees.
