Attention Florida Parents: You’re going to need to sign a permission slip in order for your child to use a nickname in Florida schools.
This comes after a new law signed by Governor Ronald DeSantis, who himself goes by the nickname Ron and has claimed the new law strengthens parents’ rights.
The form is called a “Name Deviation Consent Form,” and it says without this consent, school personnel are obligated to use your legal name as it appears on your birth certificate.
Previous generations in the 1960s and 70s printed students’ nicknames in class yearbooks, a practice unacceptable by Florida standards in 2023.
Florida House Bill 1069, signed by the governor, prevents nicknames. The governor previously said it protects students from having to use their pronouns in school.
The state teachers union has said many of these new rules are driving teachers away from education.
The new policy seems to vary by each district.
Some districts are allowing shortened versions of full names, like Dave for David; however, other districts are playing it safe and requiring the form to be filled out regardless.