In a fierce battle between the College Board and the state of Florida, the nonprofit organization has accused Governor Ron DeSantis' administration of effectively banning the Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology course. 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.

The controversy began when Florida recently passed a new law that prohibits instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity. As a result, the College Board, responsible for developing AP classes, argued that any modified version of the AP Psychology course would violate either Florida law or college requirements. They have now 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. They pointed out 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.

This conflict 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 ongoing battle between the College Board and the DeSantis administration over changes to curriculum and the inclusion of certain topics has now escalated to a new level with the dispute over AP Psychology. The course has been a part of high school education for three decades, and the College Board argues that the inclusion of gender and sexual orientation in the course is essential for studying human development. On the other hand, 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. Despite past mistakes in the rollout of the African American studies course, the College Board refuses to modify the AP Psychology course and asserts its position on curriculum content.

With the start of the school year just days away, school districts in Florida find themselves in a difficult position as they scramble to adjust their plans. Last year, over 28,000 students in Florida took the AP Psychology course, which can result in college credit for high-scoring students on the end-of-course exam.

This ongoing dispute between the College Board and the state of Florida sheds light on the larger battle over how to teach topics related to race, gender, and sexual orientation in schools. As Governor DeSantis vies 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 important questions about academic freedom, curriculum development, and the role of state regulations in shaping education.