Florida State Mandates

The K–12 Florida State Mandates Division, within the Department of Secondary Learning, ensures that instruction across all grade levels aligns with Florida Statute 1003.42. This statute requires the integration of important historical and cultural topics into K–12 education, supporting a well-rounded and inclusive learning experience for every student.

Through cross-curricular instruction in the following mandated areas, the division promotes academic rigor while honoring diverse perspectives and contributions:

African American History
Hispanic Contributions to the United States
Holocaust Education
Women’s Contributions to the United States
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) History

Our Purpose
Our Vision

Our Purpose

The purpose of the Florida State Mandates Division is to guide and support schools in embedding these topics into everyday instruction. These mandates reflect the contributions, struggles, and achievements of individuals and communities throughout American history.

By learning about these diverse stories and experiences, students develop:

A deeper sense of empathy and understanding
Greater civic awareness and responsibility
An appreciation for the shared values and history that connect us all

These lessons help students grow into thoughtful, informed, and respectful citizens, ready to engage with the world around them.

Our Vision

We envision a district where every student, from kindergarten through twelfth grade, is equipped with the knowledge, awareness, and critical thinking skills needed to understand and appreciate these stories that shape our nation. These lessons help students understand inclusive classrooms, promote social responsibility, and build bridges across cultures and generations.

Implementation Across the Curriculum

These topics should not be confined to a single lesson or month of celebration. They are integral to the core curriculum across all content areas, including ELA, Social Studies, Science, and the Arts, and at all grade levels, K–12. Professional learning, model lessons, and curriculum resources are available to support effective implementation.

African American History

The History of African Americans presents topics chronologically from pre-slavery African civilizations to the transatlantic journey to the Americas, the experiences of enslavement, abolition, the expansion of rights over time, and the contributions of the African diaspora in the United States. African American History promotes the understanding of the African American experience and its impact on the United States and nurtures democratic values by celebrating the achievements of diverse individuals throughout history. African American History emphasizes the vital role of African Americans in shaping United States society.

Hispanic Contributions to The United States

Hispanic contributions to the United States casts light upon the many achievements of Hispanics that have impacted American society. Hispanic contributions to the United States range from cultural enrichment through art, music, literature, and cuisine, to expanding equity in the American labor market and serving in heroic roles in the United States military. From serving as politicians to breaking into American sports, and contributing to science, technology, and engineering, Hispanic people help shape the contemporary United States.

Holocaust Studies

The History of the Holocaust (1933-1945) prescribes the teaching of the genocide of European Jews and other groups by Nazi Germany as a watershed event in human history. The History of the Holocaust aims to investigate human behavior, understand the repercussions of prejudice, racism, and stereotyping, including addressing anti-Semitism and its significance, and nurtures responsible and respectful citizenship. This instruction promotes tolerance for diversity in a pluralistic society and emphasizes the importance of safeguarding democratic values and institutions.

Women’s Contributions to The United States

Women have a profound influence in shaping today's United States. Through filling pivotal roles in government and the military, by being champions for the advancement of rights of all Americans, as pioneers in the science, engineering, math, and technology fields, and as iconic figures in American culture, women continue to contribute to the United States. The impactful contributions of women have not only enriched the nation but also paved the way for expanded opportunities for all.

Asian American and Pacific Islanders History

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are an integral part of the United State's cultural mosaic. Encompassing a wide range of diverse cultures originating from many nations, AAPI communities consist of approximately 50 distinct ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages, connecting today's United States to Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and other Asian and Pacific Island ancestries.

Other Mandates and Resolutions

Contact Information

Kimberly Williams

Secondary Learning