Charter-school advocates are cheering Friday’s appointment of Florida condition Sen. Manny Diaz as the Sunshine State’s new schooling chief.
Diaz, the initial Hispanic to serve as Florida’s Section of Education and learning commissioner, has been a longtime supporter of faculty alternative and is anticipated to broaden the sector upon getting business office in June.
Florida hosts 5 of the country’s 10 premier college districts, and Diaz’s new role gives constitution supporters a crucial nationwide foothold.
The Cuban-American is regarded a staunch conservative and has been an ally of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who helped him land the training publish.
In addition to charter colleges, Diaz has also supported government-funded vouchers for learners who want to show up at personal schools.
At his Friday affirmation listening to, Diaz sought to reassure conventional general public-school advocates that he would support all features of Florida’s schooling process.
Hailing from Hialeah Gardens, Diaz has backed many controversial initiatives spearheaded by DeSantis in new months.
These incorporate the “Parents Legal rights Bill” that prohibits instruction on gender identification and sexual orientation for kids in kindergarten via the 3rd quality.
Critics referred to as it the “Don’t Say Gay” bill and explained it was hostile to the LGBTQ local community.
Diaz has also supported the elimination of vital race theory from Florida educational facilities and pushed for a mandatory “Victims of Communism Day” of instruction for all youngsters.
“I know him to be a human being of integrity and usually open up to severely contemplating opposing viewpoints,” explained former condition Sen. Invoice Montford, main executive officer of the Florida Affiliation of District Faculty Superintendents.
The Florida Condition Board of Training permitted Diaz unanimously Friday.