DeSantis is right on communism. But Florida misses half the story

Florida students are heading back to school this year with a new subject on the syllabus: the history of communism. As a wave of democratic socialism sweeps the country — even into traditional Republican strongholds like Florida — the timing could hardly be more striking.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill in 2024 requiring public schools to teach the history of communism, but the mandate did not take effect until the 2026–27 academic year. Florida students are only now beginning to engage with the new material.