Bertha Vazquez, a retired middle school science teacher from Miami and the Director of Education at the Center for Inquiry, has expressed serious concerns regarding Florida’s recently proposed new science standards. In comments to the Orlando Sentinel on September 30, 2026, she stated that the proposed changes would signify a “moving backward” for science education in the state.
Upon reviewing the proposed standards, Vazquez noted significant shortcomings in the use of scientific vocabulary. On October 5, 2026, she told the Center for Inquiry that while the underlying scientific concepts remain intact, the crucial terminology that organizes this science has been omitted. She highlighted that while some competent science teachers might navigate these omissions, not all educators can be expected to fill these gaps, which poses a risk to the quality of science education.
Vazquez has called on Florida residents to voice their concerns about the proposed standards. She warned, “they are NOT making it easy to comment,” emphasizing the need for public engagement in the process. To assist citizens in providing feedback, she created a comprehensive step-by-step guide for submitting comments, specifically addressing areas such as evolution and climate change. This guide is designed to help users efficiently navigate the comment process, which she estimates could take about 30 minutes for all relevant sections.
“It’s so important, and the effort is absolutely worth it!” Vazquez encouraged, stressing the necessity of public input in shaping the future of science education in Florida.
For those interested in contributing their opinions on the proposed standards, the Florida Department of Education has provided details on how to submit comments online.
