TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2013 The State Board of Education is targeting a teachers\u2019 union after recent school walkouts were reported at several schools in Florida.<\/p>\n
In a release, education officials said that the union \u2014 the Florida Education Association \u2014 engaged in \u201cpolitically motivated activity\u201d that \u201cprioritized activism over learning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cState Board members expressed serious concern that FEA publicly promoted student protests during valuable instructional hours and then stayed silent while students faced disciplinary actions that could affect their permanent records,\u201d the release reads.<\/p>\n
In recent weeks, some high schools in Florida have seen students walking out of classrooms to protest against activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).<\/p>\n
[BELOW: Florida school districts warn of consequences as ICE protest walkouts spread]<\/p>\n
\u201cFlorida\u2019s classrooms are for learning, not political activism,\u201d said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. \u201cWhen the state\u2019s teachers\u2019 union encourages students to walk out of class to protest, it not only contradicts their claimed support for educators but also sends a harmful message about the role and purpose of public schools.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under @GovRonDeSantis<\/a>, Florida does not and will not allow school officials to encourage students to \u201cwalk-out\u201d or protest.<\/p>\n If a parent has any evidence of this happening, they can contact our office and we will immediately take action.<\/p>\n You can reach us at: 850-245-0438 or\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/TeeooMfARm<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Anastasios Kamoutsas (@StasiKamoutsas) February 18, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n Education officials said that the FEA held a news conference earlier this month, where a speaker reportedly characterized the protests as \u201crather reasonable. It\u2019s rational. And in moments like this, it is required.\u201d<\/p>\n But according to Central Florida Public Media<\/a>, FEA President Andrew Spar explained that the union does not support these walkouts.<\/p>\n [BELOW: Brevard County schools highlight differences between ICE protest and prior school walkout]<\/p>\n