Critics say Florida aims to rewrite history by rejecting African American studies

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state rejected the African American studies course because education "is about the pursuit of truth, not the imposition of ideology or the advancement of a political agenda." (Lynne Sladky/AP)

Florida's department of education, under the leadership of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, rejected an Advanced Placement course on African American studies. The decision is leading to a wave of backlash across the country — from other state lawmakers to labor unions and even a potential lawsuit.

"One Governor should not have the power to dictate the facts of U.S. history," Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, said in letter to the College Board, which develops the AP courses that help high school students across the country earn college credit.