AP Rev? College Board Approves 'AP Revisionist History' Course In Florida Classrooms
TALLAHASSEE, FL—Continuing efforts to institute statewide reform, Governor Ron DeSantis and the College Board have approved AP Revisionist History to be taught in Florida high schools for academic credit.
In the latest addition to his administration’s FACTS First Act (Floridians Against Critical Thinking First Act), DeSantis reassures constituents that Florida will combat education that incorporates “woke ideologies.” When asked what exactly “woke” means, DeSantis has vaguely stated it’s somewhere between “knowing how to do math” and “having a gay friend.”
A closer look at the curriculum for AP Revisionist History raises questions about the historical accuracy of the course. It includes textbooks written by Dennis Prager, teachers trained at Liberty University, and a final exam titled “Our God Is An Awesome God.”
DeSantis won the 2022 election by the largest margin for a Florida governor in decades. There has been speculation about whether he will announce a bid for the White House and if he stands a chance against Trump in the GOP primary. After a successful year, conservative pundits are predicting that DeSantis is displaying the type of blatant bigotry that can land a politician in the White House.
This bill introducing AP Revisionist History also comes after the controversy DeSantis generated by shooting down 60 Florida high schools’ pilot AP African American Studies courses for the ‘22-’23 school year. In a press interview after DeSantis stated, “If we start telling our children the truth about America and its ties to slavery, where does it end? With justice?...with equality?...with reparations? How do I benefit from that?”
During a speech Friday night, DeSantis announced a new charter school system backed by Betsy Devos and a new college scholarship for legacy students whose parents own boats. He also credited his alma maters at Harvard College and Yale Law School for teaching him how to center white perspectives in discourses about race.
