College Board Rejects Florida’s Demand On AP Courses

The Hill reports:

The College Board released a letter Thursday putting its foot down on further demands from Florida to change any of its Advanced Placement (AP) classes, the latest development in the ongoing feud between the company and the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).

“[College Board] will not modify our courses to accommodate restrictions on teaching essential, college-level topics,” the company told the Florida Department of Education Office of Articulation.

The College Board says the Florida office recently asked it to modify any courses that conflict with the new Florida rule restricting teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom through 12th grade.

USA Today reports:

The American Psychological Association issued a statement Thursday voicing “unqualified support” for the College Board.

CEO Arthur Evans Jr. lambasted the state of Florida’s “unconscionable demand to censor an educational curriculum and test that were designed by college faculty and experienced AP teachers who ensure that the course and exam reflect the state of the science and college-level expectations.”

A separate letter that College Board sent to “the AP community” notes that the American Psychological Association “has made clear that the topic of gender and sexual orientation is foundational for any college-level course in psychology.

The College Board defended their Advanced Placement psychology class that covers gender and sexual orientation Thursday after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis questioned whether it complies with the latest state laws. https://t.co/CXseMTmxlt

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) June 15, 2023