The state Board of Education on Thursday approved new social studies standards for how the history of communism is taught to Florida middle and high school students — and the adoption of a framework put forth by the controversial conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation.

The updated curriculum widens instruction to cover lessons on the regimes of Cuba and Venezuela, as well as China and the former Soviet Union.

 "These new standards will ensure that our students learn about the dangers and the lasting consequences of communism," said Paul Burns, senior chancellor at the department. He added that the aim was for students have a better grasp on suppressed freedoms, abuse of power and suffering across the world at the hands of communism.

It comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bil

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