In a move designed to broaden educational perspectives, the Florida Board of Education has approved a new curriculum focusing on the “History of Communism,” poised to be introduced in schools across the state starting the 2026-2027 academic year. This decision, made late last year, marks a significant step in Florida’s educational agenda.

According to a statement from the Florida Department of Education, the curriculum was crafted by a dedicated team of educators and content experts within the state. Their aim: to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how communist ideologies have shaped societies across the globe and the resulting impacts.

“With the resurgence of communist ideologies across the United States and throughout the world, it is more important than ever for students to understand the catastrophic failures and human suffering caused by communist regimes,” expressed Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas. His words underscore the motivation behind the new educational standards.

This curriculum initiative is part of a broader legislative effort encapsulated in a law passed last year, known as SB 1264. The law mandates public schools to educate students about the historical “atrocities” committed under various communist regimes. This legislative requirement has now materialized into a structured educational program.

The coursework will delve into the history of communist movements in significant regions, including Russia, China, and Cuba, along with an exploration of such ideologies within the United States. This educational endeavor aims to provide students with a critical understanding of the socio-political impacts of communism throughout history.

The coursework involves instruction on communist movements in places like Russia, China, Cuba, and even in the U.S. itself.

According to Legislative analysts, instruction must include “age-appropriate” content about the following:

• The history of communism in the U.S. and domestic communist movements

• Atrocities committed in foreign countries under the guidance of communism

• Comparative discussion of political ideologies, such as communism and totalitarianism

• The increasing threat of communism in the U.S. and to its allies

• The economic, industrial, and political events that have preceded communist revolutions

• The communist policies of Cuba and the spread of communist ideologies throughout Latin America

The subject is slated to be taught as part of a school’s social studies curriculum.

Standards show that the topic will be taught as early as Grade 6, with education on the matter continuing through high school. Each grade level focuses on different facets of communism and communal societies.

You can find the full grade-by-grade breakdown of the “History of Communism” standards below.

• GRADE 7

  • Students will begin to assess the effects of communist governments on individual freedoms, political participation, and the economy. Instruction includes:

    • Censorship

      • The use of censorship to restrict free speech, the press, political dissent and religious expression

    • Central Planning

      • The failures of central economic planning (e.g., the Soviet Union’s Five-year Plans, China’s Great Leap Forward)

    • Political Comparisons