Florida Reverses Psychology Class Ban

After a national outcry when the College Board determined Florida essentially barred a high school Advanced Placement psychology course in the state because it includes lessons on sexual orientation & identity which violates the state "Don’t Say LGBTQ" law, Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz issued guidance to Florida school districts informing them that AP Psychology can be taught “in its entirety” in classrooms. Joe Saunders Equality Florida Senior Political Director stated, “This week Florida’s parents are waking up to the reality that Governor Desantis, Education Commissioner Manny Diaz & the Florida Board of Education have turned our public schools into political battlefields. Their intentionally vague Don’t Say LGBTQ rule, built on the legislature’s Don’t Say LGBTQ law, is fostering sweeping censorship in every classroom in our state. We applaud the school districts that have held strong in the fight against the censorship of the Don’t Say LGBTQ law & rule & encourage all education leaders to take the Commissioner at his word. Districts & teachers should teach AP Psychology in its entirety -- including the LGBTQ-inclusive content. Additionally, we call on the Department of Education to immediately issue clarifying guidance that affirms AP Psychology’s alignment with state standards & protects AP Psychology teachers from political attacks for teaching the course "in its entirety." But let's be clear. We did not have to be here. Governor DeSantis & his political ambition have turned Florida’s classrooms into political battlegrounds. Put an end to the chaos. Let teachers teach. Let students learn & stop using Florida’s schools as a petri dish for the rightwing anti-freedom agenda. The hateful Don’t Say LGBTQ rule should be repealed immediately.”

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