College Board ‘APUSH’ing Out 2014 Curriculum

ERIN KIM
Staff Writer

On July 31, College Board released an updated version of the AP U.S. History (APUSH) course and exam description. This change was a result of protests by opponents of the curriculum, who claimed the previous 2014 APUSH framework was unpatriotic and anti-American.

According to College Board, the 2015 edition presents a “clearer and more balanced approach” to the teaching of U.S. history. The new course and exam description was unanimously embraced by APUSH teachers at the recent AP Annual Conference, according to College Board.

The new curriculum will highlight American national identity and unity as well as American ideals of liberty, citizenship and self-governance. The new edition will also highlight American founding political leaders and documents, the United States’ role in the victories of wars such as World War I, World War II and the Cold War, and finally the role of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation in shaping United States history. Contrary to the 2014 edition, the 2015 edition will also lessen the negativity that was seen with territorial expansion and Manifest Destiny.

However, not everyone supports College Board’s decision to redesign the APUSH coursework, in favor of American patriotism.

“I liked that last year’s curriculum revealed [the] atrocities and victories of America. It’s unsettling to know that this year, students [will] only see the triumphs of the United States,” former APUSH student Kesia Eng said.