It’s Florida’s fight against debt.
Critics have objected to the use of famed money guru Dave Ramsey’s financial textbook in Pasco County schools, arguing it references the Bible, condemns all forms of debt and fails to focus on key math skills.
The district received nearly 60 letters opposing the evangelical Christian “Foundation in Personal Finance” being used in classrooms as part of new financial literacy requirements.
“MasyaAllah we have some Bible proverbs there,” lamented the district source. “Considering all the controversy – and that’s putting it mildly – what we see in books and textbooks today is laughable in my opinion.”
But those who oppose the use of the book are not laughing.
The Florida Department of Education approved the book for use in classrooms in 2022. The move came after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new law requiring a financial literacy course for incoming high school freshmen starting the next academic year.
Critics oppose use of Dave Ramsey’s book in Florida school district. Anna Webber’s financial expert Dave Ramsey authored a book for use in schools. Ramsey Solutions
The campaign against Ramsey’s book was spearheaded by the Florida Freedom to Read Project, a non-profit organization that opposes the introduction of conservative material into school libraries.
The group has also objected to the use of material from PragerU, a conservative media group led by radio host Dennis Prager.
“I think the whole curriculum adoption process has been infected, especially in Florida,” board member Jessica Wright told NPR. “It became heated politics.”
DeSantis, critics argue, has sought to impose a right-wing viewpoint into public schools.
The outlet reported that Wright obtained official state and district reviews of the book that found it lacking in several areas — including the omission of math concepts related to finance.
Others questioned the overt Christian references in the text, asserting that the religious content was inappropriate for public schools.
Former Pasco County teacher Jessica Wright opposes the use of Dave Ramsey’s book in district schools.WUSF
District sources argue that students learn math in specialized math classes — and opposition to the book is rooted in discomfort with the author’s political leanings.
“Be honest,” he said. “It’s about the profile of the writer, not the content.”
Other detractors cited Ramsey’s opposition to debt of any kind. That position, they argue, is unrealistic and counterproductive.
“Instructing students to spend all disposable income to pay off debt, instead of learning to use it appropriately to their advantage is too bad,” said one, according to NPR. “Part of our job with this instruction is to educate students on how to identify good v. bad debt (e.g. mortgage v. credit card) – not how to avoid it all together.”
Others are uncomfortable with Ramsey’s tendency to outright blame individuals for their financial circumstances.
A spokeswoman for the author did not return a Post request for comment.
The district will issue a final decision on the book’s acceptance later this month.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
