Orlando Standard

ORLANDO, FL — In response to the recent release of the U.S. News and World Report's college rankings, which showed a decline in the rankings of several Florida schools, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) spoke out against Governor Ron DeSantis and his administration's assault on education.

The University of Florida, Florida State University, the University of South Florida, and New College of Florida all slipped in the rankings after enduring months of relentless attacks from Governor DeSantis and his GOP-controlled legislature. These attacks included hostile takeovers of college campuses, the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and a deliberate targeting of liberal school faculty and administrators.

In a statement, Congressman Frost expressed his concern about the decline in rankings and placed the blame squarely on Governor DeSantis and his allies. He said, "Florida used to be a place where students could get a quality, low-cost education from some of the best public schools in the country. Now, thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis, programs have been slashed, books and courses are being banned, and LGBTQ, Black, Hispanic, and brown students are being purposefully targeted – all so he can put up a fake fight against 'wokeness' for his own gain."

Frost continued, "Ron DeSantis, the GOP-controlled legislature, and the extremist conservatives he appointed to take over some of Florida's best colleges and universities are firmly to blame for this year's rankings. It's time we got politics and Governor DeSantis out of our classrooms."

The decline in rankings has raised concerns about the future of education in Florida. Many worry that the attacks on academic freedom and diversity will have long-lasting effects on the quality and reputation of the state's educational institutions.

For more information on this issue, please visit: https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2023/09/18/uf-falls-no-6-us-news-rankings-other-florida-schools-dip-too/