The Florida State Board of Education has approved the Phoenix Declaration, a document that has drawn criticism from the Florida Education Association (FEA). The FEA claims that the declaration is part of an effort by special interests to influence and politicize public education in the state.
According to the FEA, the declaration uses neutral language to hide its real purpose. The organization argues that it represents a campaign by outside groups with significant financial backing to shift control of public schools away from educators and communities.
“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,” said representatives from the FEA during their testimony before the board. “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 called on state leaders to focus on issues such as school funding, teacher shortages, and ensuring access for all students rather than supporting what they see as ideological initiatives. “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,” FEA representatives stated.
The association concluded by emphasizing its position that families deserve investment in local schools rather than policy changes driven by external groups. “Florida’s students and families deserve investment in their public schools, not a political pledge written by outside groups,” they said.
The Florida Education Association represents more than 120,000 members across PreK-12 teachers, higher education faculty, educational staff professionals, student teachers in training programs at colleges and universities, as well as retired education employees.
