St. Pete-Clearwater Sun

The Florida Department of Education on Monday released the framework for a new state-developed U.S. History course for high school students, positioning it as an alternative to the College Board’s Advanced Placement program.

The Florida Advanced Courses and Tests (FACT) U.S. History course will be available to public and charter schools in the upcoming school year as part of a pilot program. It is the second FACT course developed since Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a 2023 bill into law allowing the state to create its own accelerated courses for students.

Students who complete the course will be able to earn high school credit, and those who pass a corresponding exam and enroll in a Florida public college or university may also earn college credit. Specifically, qualifying scores could grant credit for two standard lower-division college courses covering U.S. history before and after 1877. High scores could also satisfy postsecondary civic literacy requirements.

Participation in the pilot is voluntary and limited — districts and charter schools must apply to offer the course. Local districts will have the power to set their own eligibility rules for student enrollment. Full statewide implementation is scheduled for the 2027-2028 school year.

Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas said the course represents “a significant step forward in expanding high-quality acceleration opportunities,” adding that the framework is designed to ensure materials are “free from ideological bias or indoctrination.” The department’s announcement also stated that FACT courses were created to provide alternatives to AP courses, which officials contend have incorporated Critical Race Theory and DEI content.

The push for state-run alternatives follows a series of clashes between Florida education officials and the College Board, including the state’s rejection of the proposed AP African American Studies framework and a 2023 dispute over AP Psychology curriculum. Florida still does not permit AP African American Studies to be taught in public schools; in response to criticism, state officials have pointed to other African American history requirements within the existing curriculum.

The first FACT course, College Algebra, was piloted this year across 32 traditional and charter schools and will be fully implemented statewide in the upcoming school year.

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