Introduction to the Controversy
An online reading platform used by school districts to comply with Florida book laws is now under fire by the state’s top education official who accused it, without providing specifics, of trying to “push an ideology” and “subvert parental rights.”
Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas sent a letter to districts on July 23, warning that the Beanstack platform “provides access to material that is not age or developmentally appropriate for students.”
The Beanstack Platform
Beanstack is used by more than 40 Florida school districts — including some of its largest, among them Orange County Public Schools and Broward County Public Schools — to catalog books in classroom libraries, log the time students spend reading and offer parents a way to see what titles are available in their children’s schools. The company says no one can access materials through the platform, however. They can only read the titles of available books or take part in reading challenges.
Reaction to the Commissioner’s Letter
Kamoutas’ letter, which he told superintendents to share with parents, prompted at least two school districts to suspend their Beanstack accounts and others to assure parents there was nothing inappropriate available through the platform. Kamoutsas wrote that any district using Beanstack was “now on notice” and urged districts to review their use of the platform for violations of Florida law. “Beanstack’s attempt to push an ideology, subvert parental rights in education and ignore Florida policy is divisive and problematic,” he said.
Investigation and Response
The Florida Department of Education did not respond to questions seeking specific examples of what Kamoutsas found objectionable. Felix Brandon Lloyd, Beanstack’s CEO, wrote in an email that the company did its own investigation and determined that the incident it thinks prompted Florida’s letter — which he declined to provide information about — did not involve any Florida school districts’ Beanstack accounts. “To our knowledge, no Florida public education institution provides access to materials not deemed by state laws to be age or developmentally appropriate for students through Beanstack,” he wrote.
Districts’ Use of Beanstack
Michael Ollendorff, a spokesperson for Orange County Public Schools, said Beanstack only shows book titles, author names and library book numbers. OCPS has used it since 2019 and increased its use in 2022 when a new state law required districts to review and catalog books in teachers’ classroom collections, not just those in school media centers. In a subsequent message to school superintendents, Kamoutsas asked them to send his letter about Beanstack to all public school parents.
Parent and District Response
In Palm Beach County, parents got an email that read, “It is important to note that the School District of Palm Beach County does not use this platform, and we are sharing this letter at the direction of the Florida Department of Education.” In Orange, the district shared the letter and later told staff that it will continue in the coming year to use Beanstack to log minutes for reading challenges and to catalog classroom libraries. The Osceola County school district told parents in its message July 24 that it hadn’t violated any Florida law by using Beanstack, but also said it would suspend access to the program temporarily. Broward schools did the same, Beanstack said in a social media post.
Concerns and Criticisms
Stephanie Vanos, an Orange County School Board member who has children in Orange’s public schools, said the commissioner’s letter was “aggressive” and “unnecessary,” adding that she had “real questions” about whether the state knew what Beanstack actually was. “We would be happy to meet with any member of the (state) board of education and show them how we use Beanstack in Orange County, if that’s what they need,” Vanos said. Vanos said the state’s letter adds to a “culture of fear” around books in Florida. New state laws passed in 2022 and 2023 put heightened scrutiny on school library books, requiring media specialists — teachers with additional library training — to review and approve all books in classroom collections and school libraries and to exclude those that feature pornography or “sexual conduct.”
Impact and Future Developments
New state training for media specialists also warned them to “err on the side of caution” when approving books and that they can face criminal penalties and lose their teaching certificates if they approve inappropriate books. Last year, Florida led the country in school book bans with 4,561 instances in the state’s public schools, according to a report by free-speech group PEN America. Library media specialists have had to navigate a confusing set of hurdles since Florida began passing these laws, said Kasey Meehan, the group’s Freedom to Read program director. The state’s letter contains “chilling language” that adds to those hurdles but also makes an “absurd” charge against Beanstack, she said.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Beanstack and the state’s criticism of the platform highlights the ongoing debate about book access and censorship in Florida schools. The state’s actions have raised concerns among educators, parents, and free-speech advocates, who argue that the measures are excessive and undermine the principles of intellectual freedom. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the state’s policies will impact the use of platforms like Beanstack and the availability of books in Florida schools.
FAQs
Q: What is Beanstack, and how is it used in Florida schools?
A: Beanstack is an online reading platform used by over 40 Florida school districts to catalog books, log reading time, and provide parents with information about available titles.
Q: Why has the Florida Department of Education criticized Beanstack?
A: The department has accused Beanstack of trying to “push an ideology” and “subvert parental rights,” but has not provided specific examples of what it finds objectionable.
Q: How have school districts responded to the criticism?
A: Some districts have suspended their Beanstack accounts, while others have assured parents that there is nothing inappropriate available through the platform.
Q: What are the implications of the state’s actions for book access and censorship in Florida schools?
A: The controversy has raised concerns about the potential for excessive censorship and the undermining of intellectual freedom in Florida schools.
