Florida Launches Rival to ‘Woke’ AP US History

Florida’s Department of Education introduced the Florida Advanced Courses and Tests (FACT) U.S. history framework on Monday, positioning it as an alternative to the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. history courses. The pilot program, set to begin in the fall, aims to address criticism that AP materials promote 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' and critical race theory (CRT), which Florida officials claim distort historical accuracy. Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas stated the FACT framework prioritizes 'instruction grounded in the full scope of our nation’s history' while avoiding ideological bias. Ryan Petty, chair of the State Board of Education, called it a step toward 'restoring academic integrity' after years of 'uneven and ideologically driven instruction.' The initiative stems from House Bill 1537, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2023, which authorizes alternatives to AP courses. DeSantis has repeatedly framed his education policies as a 'war on woke,' emphasizing classical education and rejecting what he calls 'cultural Marxism' and 'identity politics.' In a 2023 speech, he argued Florida would reject political indoctrination in favor of 'truth' and 'rigor,' allowing students to 'think for themselves.' The College Board defended its AP U.S. history course, stating it teaches critical analysis of primary sources like the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. However, Florida’s move follows DeSantis’ prior clash with the College Board over its African American studies AP course, which he criticized for promoting divisive content. FACT courses will offer high school and potential college credit, aligning with DeSantis’ broader push to expand Florida-specific academic standards. The framework’s development reflects ongoing national debates over curriculum content, with Florida positioning itself as a leader in conservative education reform.