Florida Implements History of Communism Curriculum in Public Schools

Florida public schools will adopt a new "History of Communism" curriculum for grades six through twelve beginning the 2026‑2027 academic year. The standards, approved by the Florida State Board of Education in November 2025 and set to take effect on August 3, 2026, were developed by state educators and experts. They will examine communist regimes in Cuba, Venezuela, China and the former Soviet Union, covering events such as the Cuban Revolution, Mao Zedong’s Great Leap Forward, the Tiananmen Square massacre and Soviet five‑year plans.

The curriculum also incorporates the 1996 shooting down of Brothers to the Rescue planes by the Cuban Air Force and, following a June 30, 2026 update, adds a reference to criminal charges filed against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro for his alleged role in that incident. Florida law mandates at least 45 minutes of instruction on Victims of Communism Day each November 7. While much of the content will be delivered through high‑school elective courses, several districts plan to embed it within broader social‑studies classes.