A book about Afro-Puerto Rican MLB legend Roberto Clemente, who was removed from public schools in Florida’s Duval County pending review for his references to racism and discrimination, has been approved for students.
“Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates” by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Raúl Colón was among more than 1.5 million titles that had to be “concealed or stored and suspended for student use” in the school district Pittsburgh audience. it has been determined whether these books comply with state law, according to academic director Paula Renfro.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed laws last year requiring schools to rely on certified media specialists to approve books for inclusion in classrooms. Guidance was provided to schools in December on how this would be implemented.
Books must conform to state standards, such as not teaching K-3 students about gender identity and sexual orientation; not teaching critical race theory, which examines systemic racism in American society, in public elementary schools; and not including references to pornography and discrimination as defined by the state, according to the school district.
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