Following the ban of AP African American Studies from Floridian classrooms, Governor Ron Desantis faced criticism and backlash from educators state-wide. After a defensive response from the College Board, DeSantis wants to re-evaluate Florida’s association with the AP curriculum in the classroom.

   DeSantis’ claim that AP African American Studies lacks educational value was received by an upset College Board; the Board remained unwavering and certain in its decision to continue to promote the class. On its Newsroom website, College Board approached DeSantis’ actions. It claims that the topics considered controversial and against the “Stop Woke Act”, such as Black Lives Matter movements and queer studies, in the course, were optional. The College Board reached out to the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) to receive specific feedback or requests about the AP course, but the FDOE did not follow up and stayed persistent in its decision to ban the course.

   The College Board, despite Florida’s criticism, backs its course as something that can provide a new “historic” perspective to history which the Floridian curriculum does not currently offer. The Board says, “what makes history are the lived experiences of millions of African Americans, and the long work of scholars who have built this field. We hope our future efforts will unmistakably and unequivocally honor their work.”

   DeSantis now questions Florida’s place with the College Board all together. Separate programs such as ACT testing and Dual Enrollment can be used as official replacement programs. The future of college applications, College Board scholarships, and rigor in Floridian classrooms are in jeopardy.