Democratic socialism is gaining traction among Americans, the youth in particular. Before it is too late, lawmakers, educators, parents, and freedom-loving citizens must focus on educating future voters about the threat of socialism.
For decades, the U.S. public education system has failed to accurately teach generations of American students about the true history of socialism. Even worse, a movement is afoot in middle schools in which vulnerable children are being indoctrinated with pro-socialist propaganda and neo-Marxist rhetoric.
In 2024, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed this concerning trend when he signed Florida Senate Bill 1264, “requiring instruction in public schools on the history of communism,” into law.
According to DeSantis, “We will not allow our students to live in ignorance, nor be indoctrinated by Communist apologists in schools. To the contrary, we will ensure students in Florida are taught the truth about the evils and dangers of Communism.”
The law states that teachers “shall teach efficiently and faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the highest standards for professionalism and historical accuracy, following the prescribed courses of study, and employing approved methods of instruction… the history of communism. Such instruction must be age appropriate and developmentally appropriate.”
Laws mandating that public schools accurately teach about communism are essential as young Americans are more inclined than ever to support socialism. What’s more, young Americans’ support for socialism has increased substantially as student test scores in civics and U.S. history have declined.
According to a 2020 YouGov poll, “Socialist sentiment is increasing among younger generations with Gen Z’s favorability at 49%, up from 40% in 2019.” The poll also found that “31% of Gen Z and 35% of Millennials support the gradual elimination of the capitalist system in favor of a more socialist system;” “18% of Gen Z and 13% of Millennials think communism is a fairer system than capitalism and deserves consideration in America;” and “30% of Gen Z has a favorable view of Marxism, up 6% from 2019.”
More recent polls and election results confirm the fact that young Americans favor socialism in the United States. A 2025 Cato Institute poll found that “62 percent of Americans aged 18–29 say they hold a ‘favorable view’ of socialism, and 34 percent say the same of communism.” A series of polls conducted by The Heartland Institute and Rasmussen Reports in late 2025 showed similar results. Nearly 60 percent of likely voters aged 18 to 24 want a democratic socialist in the White House in 2028 and 58 percent of likely voters aged 18 to 39 “support government-run grocery stores in every town in America,” including more than half of conservatives (53%) and moderates (53%).
With more young Americans willing to vote for socialist candidates, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), “the largest socialist organization in the United States,” is mobilizing hundreds of “chapters” to “prepare for a busy election season in 2026.”
To date, the “DSA’s ambitious electoral agenda in 2026” includes nearly “90 endorsees, including more than a dozen congressional candidates.”
The DSA also has a youth branch, the Young Democratic Socialists of America, which helps students organize in colleges, universities, and high schools.
The need for public education reform to stop the spread of socialism is paramount.
SB 1264 is designed to scuttle the rise of socialism and address the miseducation epidemic by “developing a set of curriculum standards so that teachers know exactly what content students should learn about communism.”
According to the newly revised Florida social studies standards, which went into effect in the 2026-27 school year, students in sixth through twelfth grades learn a variety of themes regarding socialism that build upon each other.
First, in sixth grade, the students are taught ancient communal systems and the effect on their respective societies. In seventh grade, students are taught the effects of communist governments on individual freedoms, political participation, and the economy. In eighth grade, students examine early attempts at communal living in American society and their effect on economic stability and societal prosperity. And in ninth through twelfth grades, students are prompted to analyze the intellectual, political, and economic origins of communism.
As written, SB 1264, includes no direct or indirect language that could be interpreted as promoting censorship regarding positive aspects of socialist ideals. Therefore, this law does not censor speech or thought in the classroom but rather impresses upon teachers to maintain historical accuracy when teaching about socialism. The law only applies to “historical accuracy” of content. Free and open inquiry, including robust debate from all perspectives about the subject of communism in the classroom, is protected under the freedom of speech.
Tennessee followed Florida’s lead in this year’s legislative session by passing House Bill 1805 with companion legislation Senate Bill 1890. Signed by Gov. Bill Lee, the legislation ensures the Volunteer State will adopt new social studies standards regarding the history of communism. Like the Florida legislation, the Tennessee bill stipulates that the new standards would be set by recommendations to the Tennessee Department of Education.
Legislation modeled after Florida Senate Bill 1264 would protect Alabama public school students from socialist indoctrination.
Lawmakers who are serious about maintaining America’s ideals of freedom, free markets, personal property rights, and the dignity of personal agency in the Yellowhammer State should consider the benefits of complete and accurate education on the history of socialism for their students. To combat teachers from misrepresenting a topic as serious as socialism, states should consider updating their social studies standards to ensure that students receive the truth about socialism and comparative political ideologies.
The following documents provide more information about SB 1264 and socialism education.
What Americans Need to Know: Florida History of Communism Law
This FAQ by Chris Talgo answers six basic questions about Florida Senate Bill 1264, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2024. The legislation focuses on, “requiring instruction in public schools on the history of communism.”
Policy Brief: Teaching the Truth About Socialism in American’s Public Schools
This Policy Brief by Talgo highlights the importance of accurately teaching the history of socialism in public schools, provides context for the necessity of this policy, and debunks common critiques.
Policy Tip Sheet: Ensuring Students Learn the Truth About Communism
In this Tip Seet, Talgo highlights the prevalence of socialist indoctrination in the American public education system and provides policy solutions for teachers, school board officials, and lawmakers aimed at course correcting this bias.
Nothing in this Research & Commentary is intended to influence the passage of legislation, and it does not necessarily represent the views of The Heartland Institute. For further information on this subject, visit The Heartland Institute’s website.
The Heartland Institute can send an expert to your state to testify or brief your caucus; host an event in your state; or send you further information on a topic. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can be of assistance! If you have any questions or comments, contact Heartland’s Government Relations department, at [email protected] or 312/377-4000.
Samantha Fillmore is a State Government Relations Manager for The Heartland Institute.
Chris Talgo is the Editorial Director for The Heartland Institute and a fellow for Heartland’s Glenn C. Haskins Emerging Issues Center.
