Florida requests College Board submit ‘magnified’ CRT materials for review
TALLLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – The Florida Department of Education requested the College Board submit critical race theory material the College Board CEO said would be “magnified” for every student and teacher.
The DeSantis administration previously rejected the original submission of the AP African American studies course in January. The College Board on Feb. 1 released the new syllabus, which took out many of the CRT themes. The new syllabus has not yet been resubmitted to the department of education for consideration.
When asked in an interview about some material being taken out of the course, College Board CEO David Coleman talked about a “free resource” called “AP Classroom” that every teacher and student in African American studies can access.
Coleman noted that it will have texts from Kimberle Crenshaw’s piece on “intersectionality” and said they will be “magnified.”
“Sources that people were worried are gone are actually going to be magnified and made more available than ever in the classroom and teaching resources, which is where secondary sources in AP always are,” Coleman said.
Sources with the governor’s office are concerned that there is material that appears will not be submitted, but is made available to teachers and students.
Since these are free resources included with the revised AP course, please include these free resources, including Mr. Coleman’s highlighted resources on “intersectionality,” with your submission.
Florida Department of Education’s letter to the College Board
Sources with the governor’s office were surprised by Coleman’s comments and believed they were operating in good faith with the College Board.
College Board strips down AP African American Studies course after DeSantis’ rejection
The newly released AP African American studies course was stripped of required curriculum on intersectionality, “the case for reparations,” Black Queer Studies, and concepts such as “racial capitalism.”
During the interview, Coleman was asked by the reporter if the changes were made to appease Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“Absolutely not,” Coleman said, and claimed that they were making the changes before Florida’s criticism came.
“There are time stamps. There’s clear evidence. So it is simply false that the changes were made after, so just so we don’t get confused,” Coleman said.
Sources with the governor’s office told Florida’s Voice they believe the changes were in response to Florida’s rejection, and that it was not a coincidence all of the state’s requests appeared to have been met.
The letter to the College Board breaks down the communication the administration had with the College Board beginning in January 2022.
In July 2022, the Office of Articulation asked the College Board to communicate with them on how the AP African American History course complied with the “Stop WOKE” Act.
During the same month, the letter outlines that the College Board claimed the course did not conflict with Florida law.
Sources with the governor’s office said there is an important distinction between an optional essay topic that a student brings versus something considered instruction that would be taught as fact.
