The battle between the College Board and the state of Florida over the Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology course escalated on Thursday, with the nonprofit accusing Governor Ron DeSantis' administration of effectively banning the class. This dispute is the latest in a series of conflicts between the state and the College Board over how to teach topics related to race, gender, and sexual orientation. Florida's new law, which prohibits instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, has led to the decision to ban the AP Psychology course. The College Board, which develops AP classes, stated that any modified version of the course would violate either Florida law or college requirements. As a result, they have advised school districts in Florida not to offer the course until the state reverses its decision. However, the Florida Department of Education denied banning the course and accused the College Board of attempting to prevent students from taking the class. The department argued that the course remains listed in Florida's Course Code Directory for the upcoming school year and encouraged the College Board to continue offering the course.

The controversy surrounding AP Psychology in Florida began earlier this year when the state banned a new course on African American studies, citing a lack of educational value and historical accuracy. The College Board's African American studies course included topics such as "queer studies," reparations, and the Black Lives Matter movement, which the state objected to based on laws regarding the teaching of racism and history. This conflict exposed the ongoing battle between the College Board and the DeSantis administration over changes to curriculum and the inclusion of certain topics.

The dispute over AP Psychology takes the conflict to a new level, as the course has been a part of high school education for three decades. The College Board argues that the inclusion of gender and sexual orientation in the course is essential for studying human development, while Florida's new law restricts instruction on these topics. The American Psychological Association has supported the inclusion of gender identity and sexual orientation in studying human development, emphasizing the importance of providing students with necessary knowledge.

The College Board's refusal to modify the course comes after the organization acknowledged past mistakes in the rollout of the African American studies course and asserted its position on curriculum content. The clash between the College Board and Florida leaves school districts in a difficult position just days before the start of the school year, as they scramble to adjust their plans. Over 28,000 students in Florida took the AP Psychology course last year, and the class can result in college credit for high-scoring students on the end-of-course exam.

The ongoing dispute between the College Board and the state of Florida highlights the larger battle over how to teach topics related to race, gender, and sexual orientation in schools. As Governor DeSantis challenges former President Donald Trump for the Republican nomination in 2024, cultural issues have become a centerpiece of his campaign. The conflict between the College Board and the state of Florida raises questions about academic freedom, curriculum development, and the role of state regulations in shaping education.