Florida bans AP psychology courses due to DeSantis law targeting gender identity curriculum.
Florida Bans Teaching Advanced Placement Psychology, Citing State Law
The state of Florida has recently made headlines by barring the teaching of Advanced Placement (AP) psychology, claiming that the curriculum on sexual orientation and gender identity is “illegal under state law.” This decision, which has sparked controversy, is a result of Governor Ron DeSantis’s legislation known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law.
The original intention of this law was to prohibit classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity for students in kindergarten through third grade. However, DeSantis pushed for an expansion of these restrictions to apply to all K-12 students. In April of this year, the Florida Board of Education approved the 2022 measure.
College Board Condemns the Ban
The College Board, the organization responsible for the AP program, has strongly condemned the Florida Department of Education’s decision. In a press statement, they expressed their concern that this ban would disrupt the college readiness and affordability plans of thousands of Florida students who are currently registered for AP Psychology, one of the most popular AP classes in the state.
The Department of Education, on the other hand, has placed the blame on the College Board for their refusal to modify their courses to meet the requirements of Florida’s law. Cassie Palelis, the deputy director of communications for the Department of Education, criticized the College Board’s actions, stating, “Just one week before school starts, the College Board is attempting to force school districts to prevent students from taking the AP Psychology Course.”
The College Board has made it clear that they will not alter their courses to accommodate the restrictions imposed by Florida’s law. This stance has significant consequences for schools that choose to continue offering the AP Psychology course without including all the required curricula from the board. The AP status will be removed from the course, and it will no longer be included in the AP Course Ledger provided to colleges and universities.
Other programs, such as the International Baccalaureate, have had no issues complying with Florida’s law. The Department of Education emphasized that they did not “ban” the course and that it remains listed in Florida’s Course Code Directory for the upcoming school year. They urged the College Board to prioritize the needs of Florida students and continue offering the course while allowing teachers to operate accordingly.
The Washington Examiner has reached out to Governor DeSantis’s team for comment on this matter.
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