Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology is a class that many high schoolers around the world take, and even look forward to taking. During the course, students learn about behavioral development, psychological disorders, and many other fundamental topics. Though this class benefits the many who take it, the Florida Department of Education is pushing to have the course altered or eliminated in the state.

AP Psychology is known to be a class that can be helpful for many future courses, whether that be high school or college classes, or just everyday situations. Samantha Abbey, a senior at Battlefield High School who has previously completed AP Psychology, says, “Taking AP Psych has honestly helped me a lot in my science and sociology classes. I apply the terms I learned in most situations I face, including those classes.”

Kendra Cherry, author and psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, agrees with the benefits that AP Psychology provides for future courses. In an article published by Verywell Mind, she states, “Introductory psychology classes are often part of the core class requirements at many colleges and universities, so taking AP Psychology is a great way to get a jump start on your college education.” AP Psychology can also help students prepare for the workload and testing styles of future classes.

Some think that while AP Psychology helps in certain situations, it can also help people better understand themselves and others. Mr. Rohrbach, AP Psychology teacher at Battlefield High School, says, “Psychology is one hundred percent applicable to daily life! Students walk away understanding why people might act the way they do and how to handle and help others.”

Though Florida is not planning on completely banning the course throughout the state, they are enforcing that the course can be taught in its “entirety in a manner that is age and developmentally appropriate,” says NBC news. This means that all gender and sexual studies must be eliminated from the course due to Florida’s educational laws.

Though the course can be offered if adapted to Florida laws, College Board highly discourages this. In a recent statement released by College Board, they stated, “To be clear, any AP Psychology course taught in Florida will violate either Florida law or college requirements.” The students taking an altered course would not be suited to take the AP test because of the changing of topics taught.

The College Board also says, “We cannot modify AP Psychology in response to regulations that would censor college-level standards for credit, placement, and career readiness. Any course that censors required course content cannot be labeled “AP” and the “AP Psychology” designation cannot be utilized on student transcripts.”

Even though there are clear benefits of the course, Florida’s Department of Education is choosing to decide for students whether they have easy access to the class. Due to this change, it is important to consider this impact on students’ futures. In the end, it is not just about a class and its content, but empowering students with that will lead them forward in the future.