Florida seeks experts to review proposed new social studies books
Tampa Bay Times | By: Jeffrey S. Solochek | October 2, 2026
The big story: Florida is getting ready to adopt a new set of social studies textbooks and other instructional materials.
In a similar adoption three years ago, the state Department of Education rejected a third of submitted titles over inclusion of topics it deemed inappropriate, including references to social-emotional learning.
This time out, the department received 96 bids to supply items in subject areas that range from kindergarten basics to law studies. Topics that have gained attention lately include U.S. history, for which the Department of Education launched its own accelerated course supported by a text written by Hillsdale College’s chair of classical education, and History of Communism, which the State Board of Education has repeatedly revised to reflect the latest headlines.
Hillsdale has submitted content for several of the courses alongside major publishers such as McGraw Hill, Gallopade and Cengage (National Geographic Learning).
Now the state needs experts to evaluate which materials best align to the applicable academic standards.
Experts must have at least one of these credentials in the subject field under review: A bachelor’s degree or higher, educator certification, five years or more teaching experience with evidence of content expertise, recognition as a subject content expert or a Florida teacher with a state-approved student learning growth score and an effective or highly effective evaluation.
When the state adopted math books in 2022, some of the expert reviewers drew attention for their credentials, which didn’t necessarily match the state’s criteria. That precedent left questions lingering about how the selection would take place in future adoption cycles.
Anyone interested in pursuing the current round can create an account on the state’s website and apply to become a reviewer. The work comes with a stipend. See the Department of Education memo for additional information.
