They Came for the Schools by Mike Hixenbaugh

"But the policies advanced by conservative activists like Chris Rufo and adopted by DeSantis and other Republican governors did not reflect an attempt to remove political ideology from education. Rather, they elevated ideologies favored by conservatives while minimizing or banning those they opposed. Books and lessons that applied a critical lens to the lasting influence of racism in U.S. society were prohibited; those minimizing the effects of racism were made mandatory."

    -from They Came for the Schools

This book was described at a sharing session I attended recently and had my interest right away. I have followed the assaults on public education in Florida for several years, particularly in the DeSantis era. Although Hixenbaugh started his research in Texas, he eventually addresses the situation in Florida. (See quote)

The subtitle of the book is almost a short summary: One Town's Fight Over Race and Identity, and the New War for America's Classrooms. The town is Southlake, TX. The "war" is essentially being fought in many states, including Florida. 

As a veteran teacher, now retired, my heart is still in education. I cannot stand the book banning, the "cleaning up" of history and the robbing of public-school monies to fund private schools with little or no accountability! The ideas in this book were totally in line with my thoughts but I learned a great deal about how this movement began.

The author, an award-winning journalist, spent some three years researching this book, including many interviews with affected students, parents, teachers and political figures. He did an amazing job and put it together with a clear and compelling style. I have rated it a 5. I can't say it was enjoyable; in fact, it was infuriating at times. But I am glad I read it, and I can only hope that many others do and that it changes some minds and hearts and eventually some policies and laws.