Florida Bans College Board AP Psychology Class In Schools

Florida Bans College Board AP Psychology Class In Schools

Last Thursday, the Florida Department of Education made public the banning of AP Psychology, the advanced placement course offered by the nonprofit College Board in Florida schools.

In Florida, students are prohibited from learning about sexual orientation or gender identity in the classroom, with Florida governor Ron DeSantis eradicating any “woke” gender ideology from Florida’s classrooms. In 2022, the governor signed the Parental Rights in Education Bill, widely becoming known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill to many across the nation. The bill originally prohibited any and all discussion of gender and sexuality from kindergarten through third grade but was later amended to include all K-12 schools in the state. The bill additionally makes it so parents can take legal action against schools and their respective districts if the law is violated.

However, College Board made it clear that the lessons about gender and sexuality are a “core component of the AP Psychology course” and are refusing to change the curriculum to fit Florida standards. The nonprofit said in a statement that unless AP Psychology is taught in its entirety – including lessons on sexuality and gender – “the “AP Psychology” designation cannot be utilized on student transcripts.”

The state’s ban of this content removes choice from parents and students. Coming just days from the start of school, it derails the college readiness and affordability plans of tens of thousands of Florida students currently registered for AP Psychology, one of the most popular AP classes in the state,” College Board Newsroom wrote in a statement. “AP is recognized by thousands of colleges and universities across the United States for admissions, scholarships consideration, college credit, and advanced standing. More than 28,000 Florida students took AP Psychology in the 2022-23 academic year. The AP Program will do all we can do to support schools in their plans for responding to this late change.”

The Florida Department of Education responded to the outcry of the announcement by accusing the non-profit of “hurting Florida students.” College Board also released a statement on Instagram in solidarity with Florida students and teachers, advising them to hold off on teaching the content until the state reverses the ban.

Many organizations, including the American Psychological Association, remain in solidarity with Florida schools, saying the new policy will result in students receiving an incomplete education.

College Board’s statement on AP Psychology via Instagram

College Board also released a statement on Instagram in solidarity with Florida students and teachers, advising them to hold off on teaching the content until the state reverses the ban.

Featured Image: Paola Giannoni via Stock Photos

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