Florida officials have informed schools that an Advanced Placement psychology course provided to high school students in the state violates new legislation that restricts training on sexual orientation and gender identity. This has effectively resulted in a ban on the class. This is the latest step by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis‘ administration to restrict training on LGBTQ and racial issues. DeSantis is currently running for the Republican Party’s candidature for the 2024 US Presidential Election. He is a rival to current frontrunner and former President Donald Trump.
DeSantis has made cultural fights a focal point of his campaign
Florida prohibited a new AP African American studies course earlier this year. According to the state, the course lacked “educational value and historical accuracy” and also violated state law about how race should be taught in public schools.
Although Florida officials have maintained that the psychology curriculum can still be taught if changed to comply with the law, the College Board, which produces AP classes, has recommended that school districts refrain from offering the course for the time being.
“To be clear, any AP Psychology course taught in Florida will violate either Florida law or college requirements,” the organization said in a statement posted on its website on Thursday. “Therefore, we advise Florida districts not to offer AP Psychology until Florida reverses their decision and allows parents and students to choose to take the full course.”
According to Reuters, a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Education denied that the psychology course was banned, as claimed by the College Board, which designs AP courses that assist high school students earn college credits.
“Just one week before school starts, the College Board is attempting to force school districts to prevent students from taking the AP Psychology Course,” education department spokesman Cassandra Palelis said.
“We encourage the College Board to stop playing games with Florida students and to continue offering the course and allowing teachers to operate accordingly.”
According to a letter from Florida State posted on the College Board’s website, conversations between the two sides began in May.
The state reminded the organization in the letter of its new rule prohibiting instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in everything but health classes, to which parents can opt their children out.
According to the letter, the College Board was asked to assess the course material and modify any content that did not comply with state law or state board of education guidelines.