Florida students need more science and math education, not less | Opinion

Brandon Haught
Your Turn
View Comments
Brandon Haught

Science and math are just too darn hard. That’s a message now coming from the Florida Legislature. Bills filed in Florida’s House and Senate aim to give students a way to avoid those difficult subjects.

In reality, science impacts everyone’s daily lives. It plays a role in personal decisions and opens paths to high-paying careers. Measles outbreaks are sweeping across communities because science illiteracy leaves people susceptible to dangerous anti-vaccine propaganda. Water quality woes plague Florida because many of our state’s leaders have refused to take environmental science seriously.

I’m a public school science teacher who realizes the stakes are incredibly high. I work hard to lay a solid science foundation today that my students will confidently build on throughout the rest of their lives.

But state Sen. Travis Hutson apparently doesn’t understand the purpose of education. He filed SB 707, a bill that dramatically changes graduation options in an effort to shove some kids out of school and into the workforce as fast as possible. But is high school just about manufacturing worker bees? I thought it was about opening as many doors as possible for kids’ futures. 

Currently, most high school students choose between a 24-credit diploma and an 18-credit diploma. The main difference is that the 18-credit option eliminates five electives and physical education. But for both options, students must obtain four math credits and three science credits. Students can substitute industry certifications that lead to college credit for two of the math credits and one science credit.

Hutson wants another 18-credit option, with only three math credits required, one of which can be substituted with an industry certification. The requirement for three science credits remains the same, but two of those credits could be replaced with industry certification under Hutson’s bill.

Hutson’s idea allows students to earn a high school diploma having taken only one science and two math classes. That does a gross disservice to our students.

I understand the desire to give students who don’t currently see college in their future a relevant pathway through high school. I didn’t go to college until two decades after graduating high school. But science and math courses shouldn’t be seen as obstacles to be removed. They open doors to future life choices and careers today’s students don’t even know are there yet.

To hear a state senator boldly say that some kids are not capable of handling certain school subjects is sad and discouraging. Lowering the academic bar is not the answer.

Our state leaders have given up on the hard task of recruiting and keeping quality math and science teachers. Inadequate salaries, bogus merit pay plans, unfunded mandates and constantly shifting education priorities certainly aren’t helping.

One of Florida’s claims to fame has been its role in space exploration. Gov. Ron DeSantis recently tweeted: “Today, I am formally sending a request to @realDonaldTrump to place the headquarters for the Space Force Combatant Command here in Florida @NASAKennedy in Cape Canaveral. This is part of Florida's history and is a logical fit for our state.”

Who is going to fill those Space Force jobs DeSantis wants to bring to Florida? Anyone?

Brandon Haught is a Volusia County public school science teacher and founding board member of Florida Citizens for Science.

View Comments