State Board of Education Removes Sociology from General Education in the Florida College System

April 17, 2026

FDOE Press Office 850-245-0413 [email protected]

State Board of Education Removes Sociology from General Education in the Florida College System

Naples, Fla., April 17, 2026 - Today, the Florida State Board of Education took decisive action to remove Sociology courses from the general education course lists across the Florida College System (FCS). With this action, the FCS is now fully aligned with the State University System Board of Governors, which recently removed Sociology courses from general education requirements at Florida's public universities. Together, these decisions maintain a consistent statewide approach to general education courses.

"For years, we have watched Sociology drift further away from its academic purpose, moving from objective instruction toward the promotion of ideological viewpoints at the expense of true critical thinking," said Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas. "We made repeated efforts to steer Sociology back on course, but it remains a sinking ship. Florida will not lower its expectations for general education. Academic quality, rigor and foundational knowledge are non-negotiable. When a course fails to meet those standards, we will act."

"General education courses must be grounded in rigorous scholarship and the accurate teaching of history. They cannot be mired in ideology or used as vehicles for indoctrination," said Ryan Petty, Chair of the State Board of Education. "Today's action draws a firm line, we will ensure every general education course meets the standards set forth in law without exception."

In 2023, Senate Bill 266 created section 1007.55, Florida Statutes, outlining required content, principles and expectations for general education. The law emphasizes that undergraduate students should graduate as informed citizens by participating in rigorous general education courses that promote and preserve the constitutional republic through traditional, historically accurate and high-quality coursework. Senate Bill 266 also amended section 1007.25, F.S., to require general education courses remain free of identity politics, distortion of historical events and discriminatory content. More broadly, general education is intended to equip students with a strong foundation of knowledge, along with the skills and habits needed for effective, lifelong learning.