The Florida Education Department has reached a resolution regarding the teaching of Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology, including LGBTQ+ subjects. Previously, it was believed that the state was banning the teaching of AP Psychology due to the inclusion of content related to sexual orientation and gender identity. However, new guidance from the Florida Education Commissioner states that school districts are not prohibited from teaching the course.
In March 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education bill into law, which aimed to prevent the teaching of sexual orientation or gender identity in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students. In May 2023, additional legislation was signed, further prohibiting instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity throughout the 12th grade.
The nonprofit organization College Board, which oversees AP courses, initially claimed that the Florida Education Department had effectively banned AP Psychology by stating that teaching foundational content on sexual orientation and gender identity was illegal under state law. However, the recent guidance from the Florida Education Commissioner indicates that AP Psychology can be taught in its entirety, including LGBTQ+ content.
The College Board hopes that Florida teachers will now be able to teach the full course without fear of punishment. Notably, gender and sexual orientation topics have been a part of the AP Psychology course for the past 30 years. The course is highly popular in Florida, with over 28,000 students taking the AP Psychology exam in 2022.
The American Psychological Association (APA) has expressed support for the College Board’s stance, stating that excluding the study of sexual orientation and gender identity from the course would deprive students of essential knowledge for their studies and future success. Despite the controversy, the Department of Education clarified that they did not ban AP Psychology and encouraged the College Board to continue offering the course.
While the resolution is seen as a positive development, it is important to note that the topic remains divisive, as evidenced by the passage of the aforementioned legislation. Moving forward, it is crucial to find a balance between respecting parental rights and providing comprehensive education to students.
The decision to allow the teaching of AP Psychology with LGBTQ+ content in Florida demonstrates the ongoing debates surrounding educational guidelines throughout the United States. It remains to be seen how other states will approach similar issues and whether comprehensive education that includes LGBTQ+ subjects will be fully embraced nationwide.
