Florida Pioneers Adoption of “Phoenix Declaration” in Public Education
Florida has set a national precedent by becoming the first state to implement the “Phoenix Declaration”, a comprehensive educational framework proposed by the Heritage Foundation, a prominent conservative think tank.
The Florida State Board of Education’s unanimous decision to adopt this declaration aims to reshape educational philosophies within the state’s public schools.
Key Aspects of the Declaration
The “Phoenix Declaration” articulates seven core principles designed to guide educational practices: parental choice and responsibility, transparency and accountability, truth and goodness, cultural transmission, character formation, academic excellence, and citizenship.
“Every child should have access to a high-quality, content-rich education that fosters the pursuit of the good, the true, and the beautiful, so that they may achieve their full, God-given potential,” the declaration states.
Support and Criticism
Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas emphasized the universal appeal of these principles, stating, “I don’t know how anyone could disagree with parental choice and responsibility, curriculum transparency, academic excellence, and instruction on objective truth.”
The declaration advocates for education grounded in objective truth and reality, warning against “ideological fads” and promoting traditional teaching methods. It asserts that students should learn about good and evil and possess the capacity to choose good.
In terms of U.S. history education, the declaration focuses on fostering patriotism and a comprehensive understanding of the nation’s founding documents and principles, encouraging a balanced view of America’s merits and shortcomings.
Not all feedback has been positive. The Florida Education Association criticized the declaration, viewing it as a politically charged document from a conservative entity, which also supports Project 2025.
On the other hand, advocates argue that these philosophies can enhance educational outcomes. Orlando school board member Alicia Farrant remarked, “Many students are just being taught what to think. And parents want their kids to learn how to think, how to think critically, and that gets us back to those foundations that made our nation great.”
Expansion to Other States
The “Phoenix Declaration” has garnered interest beyond Florida, with leaders in South Carolina and Oklahoma expressing support for its potential adoption in their states.
