Florida Launches New Education Standards for Teaching About Communism 

The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation (VOC) applauds Florida’s adoption of new standards for teaching the evils of communism. Developed in partnership with VOC, this bold education directive will be rolled out across classrooms in Florida beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.  
 
Unanimously approved by the State Board of Education, Florida’s History of Communism Standards show, once again, how the state is leading the way. “It was a privilege to join a great group of scholars and Florida’s Department of Education in developing comprehensive, high-quality standards for the history of communism,” said Ken Pope, Senior Fellow for Academic Operations at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. “VOC looks forward to continuing our work with Florida and supporting teacher training seminars next year.” 
 
“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,” said Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “Florida’s new History of Communism standards will ensure that students learn the truth about the brutal realities of life under communism and gain a deeper appreciation for the blessings of liberty that define our nation.” 
 
This announcement builds on Florida’s trailblazing efforts to remember the victims of communism in the classroom. In 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis established November 7 as Victims of Communism Day in Florida. This initiative followed the adoption of legislation, championed by VOC, requiring that all Florida schools teach their students about the crimes of communist regimes. Since then, VOC has been honored to work with Florida’s Department of Education on their Summer Civics Education Professional Learning Series and Portraits in Patriotism oral history project on communism.  
 
For more information, please contact Michal Harmata, VOC’s Director of Communications, at michal.harmata@victimsofcommunism.org or (202) 629-9500.