By: Advika Anand
Graphics Editor
Florida implemented a new high school United States history course designed to compete with the nationally recognized Advanced Placement (AP) program. Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, and the state’s education leaders support the initiative, which reflects an ongoing debate over how American history should be taught in schools. Supporters say the course offers a balanced, patriotic view of the nation’s past, while critics argue that it reflects a politically motivated reinterpretation of history.
The new class is part of a state-developed program called the Florida Advanced Courses and Tests (FACT). These courses are intended to provide college-level instruction similar to AP classes and may offer college credit at Florida universities. In addition, these courses aim to provide students with an alternative to AP courses that the College Board administers.
Florida officials say the new U.S. history course emphasizes the cultural and intellectual foundations of the United States, particularly its roots in Western and English political traditions. The curriculum also highlights the influence of Protestant religious ideas on the country’s founding principles. Teachers may encourage students to read religious and philosophical texts that shaped early American thought, including writings connected to the Protestant Reformation. Another distinctive feature of the course is its recommended textbook, Land of Hope, written by historian Wilfred McClay. The book presents a narrative that emphasizes American achievements and ideals, and supporters have described it as a corrective to critical interpretations of U.S. history. McClay has said his work does not ignore racism or injustice but treats these events as departures from the nation’s founding principles rather than defining characteristics.
The creation of the course follows several years of tension between Florida officials and the College Board. State leaders have criticized some AP programs for allegedly promoting ideas connected to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) or critical race theory. Florida’s Department of Education said the FACT framework was designed to provide an option that avoids those perspectives and focuses more strongly on civic knowledge and national identity.
However, historians and educators have raised concerns about the new curriculum. Some worry that presenting American history primarily through a patriotic lens could minimize the significance of systemic racism and other complex historical issues. Critics argue that students benefit from examining both the nation’s achievements and its shortcomings to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the past. The course is expected to begin as a pilot program in Florida high schools, potentially launching in the fall of this year. If successful, it could expand and become a long-term alternative to AP U.S. History within the state.
(Sources: NY Times, Truthout, WINK News)