Florida's education chief says schools can teach AP Psychology

Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. has informed education officials in the Sunshine State that schools may offer AP Psychology to students and teach the entire curriculum in line with Florida law.

Reports emerged earlier this month that the state had effectively banned the class to due its inclusion of lessons on gender and sexuality, since Florida law does not permit instruction on those matters. Schools subsequently began seeking alternative courses.

Diaz, however, informed superintendents on Wednesday that they may, in fact, offer the entire course, including its lessons on sex and gender, asserting they do not violate Florida law, The Hill reported.

"As Commissioner of Education, I tasked my team with reviewing the AP Psychology framework at length. I believe I was clear in my previous letter, but I want to make sure there is no room for misinterpretation," he said. "It is the Department of Education’s stance that the learning target, 6.P 'Describe how sex and gender influence socialization and other aspects of development,' within Topic 6.7, can be taught consistent with Florida law."

Diaz previously told schools they could offer the course, though there was evidently some confusion as to whether they would need to exempt those lessons. The College Board, which administers AP courses, said it would not offer credit for AP Psychology if the coursework did not include those lessons.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.