Florida’s Education Department Denies Banning Advanced Placement Psychology

Commissioner issues letter to district superintendents clarifying the matter

Florida's Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. (R-Hialeah) in the Florida Senate in Tallahassee, on April 23, 2019. Phil Sears/Photo via AP

Florida’s Department of Education has rejected claims made on Aug. 3, that it would be banning Advance Placement (AP) psychology in high school classrooms.

District superintendents were recently informed that the current AP psychology courses will only be allowed in schools if the sections on sexual identity and gender identity were removed.

A letter clarifying the situation was written by Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr., stating: “The Department of Education is not discouraging districts from teaching AP psychology.”

“In fact,” he said, “the department believes that AP psychology can be taught in its entirety in a manner that is age and developmentally appropriate, and the course remains listed in our course catalog.”

Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. provides comments during a Jan. 18, 2023, meeting of the Florida Board of Education. Screenshot/The Florida Channel

Less than 24 hours before Mr. Diaz sent his letter to the superintendents, the College Board—a non-profit organization founded in 1900 to expand students’ access to higher learning that oversees AP programs—issued its own statement threatening to withhold the course altogether.

The College Board made its original stance known earlier this summer and received praise from the American Psychology Administration (APA) in June.

“Understanding human sexuality is fundamental to psychology, and an advanced placement course that excludes the decades of science studying sexual orientation and gender identity would deprive students of knowledge they will need to succeed in their studies, in high school and beyond,” said APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr.

“We applaud the College Board for standing up to the state of Florida and its unconscionable demand to censor an educational curriculum and test that were designed by college faculty and experienced AP teachers who ensure that the course and exam reflect the state of the science and college-level expectations.”

A person walks through the Rice University Library in Houston, Texas, on April 26, 2022. Courtesy of Brandon Bell/Getty Images

“To be clear, any AP psychology course taught in Florida will violate either Florida law or college requirements,” the College Board said on Aug. 3.

“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.”

But Mr. Diaz and the Department of Education said that decision would be “ultimately hurting Florida students.”

“This is especially concerning given that the new school year begins in a week,” he said. “I want to be clear, AP psychology is and will remain in the course code directory making it available to Florida students.”

APA Pressures AP Alternatives

Alternatives such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge/AICE have agreed to alter their curriculum to satisfy Florida’s Department of Education. However, it did not come without criticisms.

“We urge you to reconsider your decision to agree to the request from the Florida Department of Education to conduct a thorough review of the Cambridge/AICE psychology course to ensure it does not provide instruction on the topics of sexual orientation and gender identity,” the APA wrote in a warning letter to Cambridge’s heads on Aug. 2.

Hundreds of protesters and counter-protesters gather in Ottawa's west end to clash over gender ideology being taught in schools. Matthew Horwood/The Epoch Times

“Offering what amounts to an incomplete psychology course will reduce the number of people who can obtain college credits for psychology in high school and negatively impact pathways for psychological scientists as well as mental health professionals in Florida, where students and the broader population desperately need more mental health support.”

The APA encourages teaching about human sexuality through affirming, inclusive, and “developmentally appropriate approaches,” arguing it leads to “positive outcomes, such as appreciation of sexual diversity, dating, and intimate partner violence prevention.”

“Misinformation about human sexuality,” said the association that supports treating gender dysphoria with “gender-affirming” treatments, “will thrive if credible sources of information are removed.”

Schools Plan for AP Psychology

A statement was released by the Florida Association of District School Superintendents (FADSS), confirming that AP psychology is still scheduled to be offered this semester.

“The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) has not banned AP psychology,” it announced, reaffirming that each superintendent is communicating with parents on their district’s specific plans for the course and college-level alternatives. 

“AP psychology continues to be listed in Florida’s Course Code Directory, and we hope that College Board will keep the best interests of students at the forefront and award college credit to all Florida students who successfully complete the AP psychology exam.”

A student taking her high school FCAT exam. Courtesy Fethi Belaid/Getty Images

Students earn AP credit by not only completing the course but also passing the end-of-course AP exam.

Many colleges recognize AP credits as equivalent to their own introductory-level courses. In the case of AP psychology, it’s psychology 101 or a recognized equivalent.

Catherine Yang contributed to this story.