The Florida Department of Education rejected a new proposed Advanced Placement course because the version submitted for review “lacks educational value” and violates state law, specifically the Stop WOKE Act.

“The issue is we have guidelines and standards in Florida; we want education, not indoctrination,” said DeSantis during a press conference. “And if you fall on the side of indoctrination, we are going to decline. If it’s education, then we will do.”

The course covered African American studies and includes sections on critical race theory, intersectionality and queer theory.

Several critics of the decision, including three Florida high school students and some elected officials, are prepared to file suit if the state does not agree to approve the African American studies course. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump agreed to lead the lawsuit along with attorney Craig Whisenhunt.

During a press conference, Crump claimed that the decision is trying to eliminate black history.

"Will we let Governor DeSantis or anybody exterminate Black history in the classrooms across America?" Crump asked. “What this really is about is saying you cannot exterminate us. You cannot exterminate our culture and you can never exterminate the value of our children in this world.”

Several other officials also spoke during the press conference condemning DeSantis. “There are 2.8 million students sitting in Florida public schools right now knowing their governor does not want them to learn about Black history,” said Democrat Rep. Michele Rayner.

Although attacks against the Florida governor are spreading throughout the country, several took to social media to defend the decision and clarify the state’s education requirements for African American studies. Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. released a tweet stating that Florida’s 2.8 million students are required to learn about black history.

Diaz also shared a tweet with an infographic outlining the specific concerns that the administration has with the curriculum.

According to the Florida Department of Education and Florida Statute 1003.42(2)(f), students are required to learn “the history of African Americans, including: the history of African peoples before the political conflicts that led to the development of slavery; the passage to America; the enslavement experience; abolition; and the history and contributions of Americans of the African diaspora to society.”

Proponents of the state’s decision to reject the AP course said that except for the problematic portions that feature critical race theory, intersectionality and queer theory, the rest of the course curriculum is good.

Rep. Byron Donalds, (R-FL) tweeted that the first three sections of the proposed curriculum are fine. It’s the fourth section that is a problem.

"This course on Black history, what’s one of the lessons about? Queer theory," DeSantis said during his press conference. "Now, who would say that an important part of Black history is queer theory? That is somebody pushing an agenda.”

Prince Carlton and Cedric Dildy, who host “The Morning Show - Let’s Argue w/ Prince Carlton” in the Minneapolis region, applaud Florida’s decision to block the proposed course. During a recent episode, they described the proposed topics as divisive and questioned why instead of queer theory there is not a black family theory or black masculine man theory.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted that the decision erases history and limits speech.

Upon hearing that Florida would reevaluate the AP course if their concerns were addressed in the curriculum, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker sent a letter to the College Board demanding it to not consider any of Florida’s requested changes.

“Regardless of some leaders’ efforts, ignoring and censoring the accurate reporting of history will not change the realities of the country in which we live,” wrote Pritzker. “In Illinois, we will not accept this watering down of history.”

Pritzker said that Illinois would reject the course if modifications were made to meet Florida’s requirements.

Although the College Board did state that the final version of the African American course would most likely be revised, it told its members that it would not make changes to the course based upon any lawmakers’ suggestions.

As for the lawsuit threatened by Crump, Florida Department of Education Communications Director Alex Lanfronconi described the potential lawsuit as a political stunt and hopes the updated course will be historically accurate and unbiased.

“As Governor DeSantis said, African American History is American History, and we will not allow any organization to use an academic course as a gateway for indoctrination and a political agenda.”