Feud between College Board and Florida Education Department over AP Psychology course reaches public eye
A long-standing disagreement between the College Board and the Florida Department of Education has become public this week, bringing to light the question of whether the Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology course can be taught in Florida without violating state laws. In Florida, there is a ban on teaching about sexual orientation or gender identity in classrooms. However, the College Board argues that these topics are integral to the AP Psychology curriculum and has refused to alter it.
On Thursday, the College Board made an announcement stating that unless AP Psychology is taught in its entirety, including lessons on sexuality and gender, the “AP Psychology” designation will not be allowed on student transcripts. This decision seemed to put the future of the course at risk until late Friday when Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. informed school superintendents that students will be able to take the class “in its entirety,” but only if it is taught in a way that is age and developmentally appropriate.
This public dispute over the AP Psychology course is the latest development in an ongoing feud between the College Board and Florida education officials over the subjects that can be taught in the state’s classrooms. The conflict began in July when a new law was introduced in Florida that banned classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity for students in pre-K through 8th grade. For high school students, instruction must be in accordance with state standards. However, over the past year, Florida’s education officials have amended these standards to effectively prohibit all students from learning about sexual orientation and gender identity. These changes align with Governor Ron DeSantis’ efforts to remove what he calls “woke” gender ideology from Florida’s classrooms.
In 2022, Governor DeSantis signed a bill titled “Parental Rights in Education,” which banned discussion of gender and sexuality issues in kindergarten through third grade. The bill also gave parents the right to take legal action if a school violates the law. DeSantis has since expanded the law to include a ban on instruction regarding sexuality and gender for pre-K through 8th grade. The governor believes that parents should have a fundamental role in their children’s education, healthcare, and overall well-being. Supporters of the bill argue that it allows parents to decide when to talk to their children about LGBTQ+ topics, rather than leaving it up to the schools. However, critics have nicknamed it the “Don’t Say Gay” law and assert that it will further marginalize LGBTQ+ students.
The AP Psychology course offered by the College Board consists of nine units of study. The unit on developmental psychology includes lessons on gender and sexual orientation. According to the College Board, the course examines how sex and gender influence socialization and various aspects of development. However, these lessons are now considered illegal under Florida law.
In June, officials from the Florida Board of Education sent a letter to the College Board requesting a thorough review of all Advanced Placement courses to ensure compliance with Florida law. The College Board responded by equating the request with censorship, stating that they will not modify their courses to accommodate restrictions on teaching essential topics at the college level. They argued that doing so would undermine the purpose of AP courses, as colleges would not widely accept them for credit, and students would not be adequately prepared for careers in the discipline.
Advanced Placement courses are standardized to ensure that students who pass the final exam can transfer college credits to participating colleges and universities nationwide. The College Board has stated that all required topics, including sexual orientation and gender identity, must be included in order for a course to be designated as advanced placement and count towards college credit.
This is not the first time the College Board and the Florida Board of Education have clashed over the content of Advanced Placement classes. Earlier this year, Governor DeSantis rejected the College Board’s AP African American Studies course because it included lessons on reparations, Black queer studies, and the Movement for Black Lives. The College Board initially tried to revise the course framework, but this decision sparked strong reactions from academics and activists who argued that students should learn the full history of the Black experience in America.
With students scheduled to return to school soon, the College Board announced that it would not remove AP Psychology lessons on gender identity and sexual orientation. Instead, the non-profit advised school districts not to offer AP Psychology until Florida reverses its decision and allows parents and students to choose whether or not to take the full course. Florida education officials responded by accusing the College Board of negatively impacting Florida students. It remains uncertain how the state’s directive to teach the course in a manner that is age and developmentally appropriate will be enforced. Diaz stated that AP Psychology will remain in the course directory, making it available to Florida students.