Leon County keeps AP Psychology as high school course option

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Leon County schools announced in a statement Tuesday that the school system will continue to provide AP Psychology as a course option for high school students.

The county said that parents of students who are enrolled in the course will be notified about the curriculum content from the school.

“Our teachers have some concerns, but we are going to take the commissioner of education‘s word when he says that Advanced Placement psychology may be taught in its entirety,” Superintendent Rocky Hanna said.

“I have communicated to our staff to respect the law and follow the law, but not to fear the law and do more than it requires.”

He continued that the situation was “frustrating,” but said he was “extremely proud” of working with the principals and teachers as they made the decision that he believes is in the best interest of the students.

Recently, controversy has heightened around College Board’s threats to remove the Advanced Placement status of their psychology course in Florida, since Florida prohibits the teaching of gender identity and sexual orientation.

The College Board said it would not modify AP Psychology because it would “censor” college-level standards. For 30 years, the College Board said the framework of gender and sexual orientation have been part of AP Psychology.

In response, Florida’s Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. assured school districts with a letter addressed to superintendents on Friday that the course can be taught “in its entirety” in a manner that “is age and developmentally appropriate.”

“I want to be clear, AP Psychology is and will remain in the course code directory making it available to Florida students,” he said.

Even with the commissioner’s assurance, Palm Beach County completely did away with AP Psychology on Friday.

The school district highlighted the “uncertainty” surrounding the “viability” of the course exam and credit as their main concerns.