Florida Backs Down On AP Psychology Course Ban

August 6, 2023 Education, Republicans

ABC News reports:

Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. has instructed Florida school officials to teach College Board’s AP Psychology course “in its entirety,” according to a letter obtained by ABC News from the state Department of Education. The letter follows the College Board’s announcement that Florida officials had effectively banned the course by instructing state superintendents “that teaching foundational content on sexual orientation and gender identity is illegal under state law.”

College Board reported Thursday that Florida school districts were told by the Florida Department of Education they could teach the courses but only without the content concerning gender and sexual orientation. However, the College Board said that without this required course content, the course cannot be labeled “AP” or “Advanced Placement” and the “AP Psychology” designation can’t be used on school transcripts.

The Associated Press reports:



The College Board refused to modify the psychology course to comply with Florida’s new legislation. The course asks students to describe how sex and gender influence a person’s development — topics that have been part of the curriculum since it launched 30 years ago.

In standing firm against pressure from Florida officials, the College Board, which administers the SAT and AP exams, has acknowledged missteps in the way it handled the African American studies curriculum.

“We have learned from our mistakes in the recent rollout of AP African American Studies and know that we must be clear from the outset where we stand,” the non-profit said in June. The American Psychological Association is also pleased with the apparent outcome.

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