American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten has criticized Florida's history curriculum, arguing the updated syllabus will be "terrible for kids."

Weingarten takes issue with a part of the state curriculum that instructs teachers to include lessons on how "slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit." The move comes as Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and his administration have faced criticisms from black advocacy groups and other organizations for allegedly sanitizing the teaching of black history.

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"The political changes that have happened in several of these states will be terrible for kids," Weingarten said during an appearance on NewsNation. "Not just for kids of the indigenous nation, not just for kids who are black and brown. It will be terrible for all kids because we need to understand our history, the good and the bad. And frankly, when we understand the bad, it makes the good so much more."

Weingarten stated she knew DeSantis was making these changes to the curriculum for "political reasons" and that this happens "when people want to sanitize history." She added that the Florida governor "knows better" and should spend time in his state, "where there are huge economic issues."

"But what's going on now is that they're using education politically and taking away AP African American studies from the kids who were taking it right then," Weingarten said. "Almost taking away AP Psych, which is the most popular AP course in Florida. It just makes their kids less competitive with other kids, but it also really hurts teaching and learning when you're constantly questioning what you can say or whom you're erasing or not erasing."

The new curriculum on slavery drew the attention of Vice President Kamala Harris, who stated in a speech that the debate of whether or not enslaved people benefited from slavery was "unnecessary." Harris avoided mentioning DeSantis by name, instead referring to Florida's "extremist" leaders and their efforts to target liberal ideals.

Republican lawmakers, including several presidential candidates, have criticized Florida's adjusted curriculum. Former Texas Rep. Will Hurd, who is biracial, stated in July, "Anybody that is implying that there was an upside to slavery is insane." Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), who is black, also stated, "There's no silver lining in slavery."

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DeSantis has defended the state's decisions on education, pushing back against Harris's comments in a statement written on social media.

"Democrats like Kamala Harris have to lie about Florida's educational standards to cover for their agenda of indoctrinating students and pushing sexual topics onto children," the Florida governor wrote. "Florida stands in their way and we will continue to expose their agenda and their lies."