Florida Department of Education releases new FACT U.S. History framework as alternative advanced coursework option to Advanced Placement programs
Tallahassee, Florida – The Florida education system is moving forward with a new academic option aimed at reshaping how students study American history, as state officials announced the release of a new framework for a Florida-developed alternative to Advanced Placement coursework.
The Florida Department of Education unveiled the Florida Advanced Courses and Tests (FACT) U.S. History framework on Monday, marking a major expansion of what the state describes as a new acceleration pathway for high school students. The course is designed as an alternative to traditional Advanced Placement U.S. History classes and is expected to be piloted in schools across the state in the coming academic year.
According to state officials, the FACT U.S. History course is intended to offer a structured and detailed study of American history while emphasizing academic rigor and source-based learning. The framework will serve as the foundation for classroom instruction, assessments, and eventual statewide implementation.
Education leaders say the initiative is part of a broader effort to expand advanced academic opportunities while maintaining what they describe as instructional consistency across Florida schools.
“Florida continues to lead the way in expanding access to rigorous, high-quality advanced coursework for all students,” said Anastasios Kamoutsas. “The FACT U.S. History framework underscores our commitment to instruction grounded in the full scope of our nation’s history, while ensuring materials are free from ideological bias or indoctrination.”
The new framework has also received strong support from the State Board of Education, which played a key role in approving the expansion of FACT courses. Officials say the program is intended to create an additional academic pathway for students seeking college credit and advanced learning opportunities.
“The FACT courses ensure Florida students have access to academically rigorous, transparent, and high-quality advanced pathways,” said Ryan Petty. “The FACT U.S. History framework provides a thorough and balanced study of our nation’s past, grounded in primary sources and factual accuracy. It represents an important step toward restoring academic integrity in the classroom after years of uneven and, at times, ideologically driven instruction. Our goal is simple: equip students with the knowledge and critical thinking skills they need to succeed in college, careers, and civic life. I encourage districts and charter schools to participate in the pilot of this course.”
FACT courses were created under House Bill 1537, which was signed into law in 2023 by Governor Ron DeSantis. The legislation established the framework for an alternative acceleration system in Florida public education, designed to operate alongside existing programs such as Advanced Placement.
State officials say the goal of FACT is to provide students with another route to earn high school and college credit, while maintaining what they describe as a standards-based and consistent academic structure.
As part of the program design, students who successfully complete FACT courses may earn high school credit, and those who pass the corresponding assessments may qualify for college credit at Florida College System institutions or state universities.
The initiative follows the rollout of the first FACT course, College Algebra, which was piloted earlier this year in 32 traditional and charter schools across Florida. Education officials say that pilot program is expected to be fully implemented statewide in the upcoming school year, setting the stage for expansion into additional subjects.
With the release of the U.S. History framework, the state is now preparing to launch the second major FACT pilot program. Districts and charter schools across Florida are being invited to participate in the upcoming U.S. History pilot during the next academic year.
Officials say the pilot phase is an important step in testing curriculum materials, instructional methods, and assessment tools before full statewide implementation. Schools participating in the program will help shape how the course is refined and delivered in future years.
The framework for the new course has been made publicly available, and school districts can review it ahead of the application process. Interested institutions are required to submit registration forms to join the pilot program, which will operate during the upcoming school year.
The deadline for participation has been extended to May 18, giving schools additional time to review materials and decide whether to join the initiative.
Supporters of the program say FACT represents a shift toward what they describe as greater transparency and academic consistency in advanced coursework. They also argue that offering multiple acceleration pathways gives students more flexibility in choosing how they pursue college-level learning while still in high school.
Education officials say the rollout of FACT U.S. History will be closely monitored during the pilot phase, with feedback from educators and administrators expected to play a central role in shaping the final version of the course.
As Florida continues expanding the FACT program, state leaders say additional subjects may be developed in the future, depending on the success of current implementations.
For now, the focus remains on preparing schools for the upcoming pilot year and ensuring that districts have the information and resources needed to participate in the new academic pathway.
