Feud between College Board and Florida Department of Education over AP Psychology course
A heated dispute between the College Board and Florida’s Department of Education has come to light this week, as officials clash over whether the Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology course can be taught in the state without violating state laws. The controversy centers around the inclusion of lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in the curriculum, which are prohibited in Florida classrooms.
The College Board, the non-profit organization responsible for administering AP courses, argues that these lessons are an integral part of the AP Psychology course and has refused to alter the curriculum. In response, the College Board announced on Thursday that if the course is not taught in its entirety, including the lessons on sexuality and gender, the “AP Psychology” designation cannot be used on student transcripts.
The future of the course seemed uncertain until late Friday when Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. informed school superintendents that students would be allowed to take the class “in its entirety” as long as it is taught “in a manner that is age and developmentally appropriate.”
This public dispute over the AP Psychology course is just the latest episode in an ongoing feud between the College Board and Florida education officials regarding the subjects that can be taught in the state’s classrooms.
The conflict traces back to July when a new law went into effect in Florida, banning classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity for students in pre-K through 8th grade. For high school students, instruction must adhere to state standards, according to the Board of Education. Over the past year, Florida’s education officials have amended state standards to effectively prohibit all students from learning about sexual orientation and gender identity. These changes align with Governor Ron DeSantis’ commitment to eliminate what he calls “woke” gender ideology from Florida’s classrooms.
In 2022, Governor DeSantis signed a bill titled “Parental Rights in Education,” which prohibited discussions of gender and sexuality issues in kindergarten through third grade. The bill also granted parents the right to take legal action if a school violates the law. DeSantis has since expanded the law to prohibit instruction on sexuality and gender from pre-K through eighth grade. The governor believes that parents should have a fundamental role in their children’s education, healthcare, and well-being.
Supporters of the bill argue that it allows parents to decide when to address LGBTQ+ topics with their children instead of leaving it to the schools
What are the potential consequences for educators in Florida who include the prohibited content in their lessons
Logy” designation will be removed from the course, meaning that students in Florida will not receive college credit for taking the exam.
The Florida Department of Education, however, maintains that teaching these lessons would violate state laws that prohibit the promotion of homosexuality in schools. The department issued a statement asserting that it will not allow “any instructional materials containing pornography, obscenities, or information inconsistent with state law to be used in Florida classrooms.”
This dispute has significant implications for both students and educators in Florida. If the College Board does not capitulate to the state’s demands and remove the controversial lessons, students who take the AP Psychology exam may not receive college credit, potentially affecting their ability to gain admission to certain colleges or universities. Additionally, teachers who include the prohibited content in their lessons may face disciplinary action or even losing their jobs.
Advocacy groups and activists have entered the fray, arguing that denying students access to comprehensive and inclusive curriculum is discriminatory and harmful. They emphasize the importance of including lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in order to create a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.
This is not the first time the College Board has faced opposition from state governments over controversial content in its courses. In recent years, similar disputes have arisen in states such as Texas, Georgia, and Utah. These conflicts highlight the ongoing tension between academic freedom and state regulations in the realm of education.
As the feud between the College Board and Florida’s Department of Education continues, the ultimate outcome remains uncertain. It is likely that this dispute will serve as a precedent for future conflicts regarding curriculum content and state laws across the country.
This is absurd! Why can’t they just work together for the sake of education?