Florida’s recent decision to block the Advanced Placement course on African American Studies has now led to the “effective ban” of AP Psychology as well. The College Board, which oversees the AP program, claims that the Florida Department of Education has instructed superintendents that teaching content related to sexual orientation and gender identity is illegal under state law. This instruction is based on the Parental Rights in Education Act, which prohibits instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten through 12th grade. The College Board states that classes can continue if these topics are excluded from the curriculum, but they cannot be called Advanced Placement or be used to earn college credit.
The Florida Education Department argues that it did not ban the course and that the College Board is refusing to comply with state law regarding gender and sexuality education. Other advanced course providers, such as the International Baccalaureate program, have no issue with providing a psychology course for college credit. However, high school senior Noah Summerlin, one of the thousands of students who took the AP Psychology course last year, is angry with the state’s decision. He believes that Governor Ron DeSantis and other Republicans are prioritizing their personal beliefs over the right of public school students in Florida to a comprehensive education.
The Human Rights Campaign President, Kelley Robinson, criticizes the state’s decision, calling it a disturbing attempt to rewrite history and disrupt a science-based curriculum supported by experts. Arthur C. Evans Jr., CEO of the American Psychological Association, has previously stated that requiring censored educational material does a disservice to students by providing an incomplete understanding of psychological research on human development. This conflict between the College Board and the state is the latest in a series of disputes, with the state also rejecting the AP African American Studies course and facing criticism for its history standards related to enslavement.
Overall, Florida’s actions have sparked controversy and drawn criticism from educational and psychology organizations, as well as students who feel their rights to a comprehensive education are being undermined.
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