The Florida State Board of Education has approved the Phoenix Declaration, a document that critics say uses neutral language to hide its real intent. According to the Florida Education Association (FEA), the declaration is another effort by special interests with significant financial backing to influence and politicize the state’s public education system.
The FEA claims that the declaration allows political operatives more control over classrooms and shifts responsibility away from those making policy decisions. The association expressed its concerns during testimony before the board, stating: “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 board members to prioritize student needs over ideological goals. They called for increased funding for public schools, solutions for teacher and staff shortages, and ensuring all children have access to quality neighborhood schools. The organization 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.”
“Florida’s students and families deserve investment in their public schools, not a political pledge written by outside groups,” said the FEA.
The Florida Education Association represents more than 120,000 professional employees across PreK-12 education, higher education faculty, educational staff professionals, college students preparing for teaching careers, and retired education workers.
