Conservatives call for replacing the newly revised Advanced Placement United States History framework due to its revisionist view, which neglects heroic figures and emphasizes oppression and strife. Oklahoma State legislatures on the Committee of Education have voted on a proposed bill and if adopted the state would cut funding for APUSH. This would have an effect on APUSH classes nationwide.

Drastic changes in material brought forth this conflict. The liberal changes caused an abundance of backlask, much more than is normally present in debates over developing American education standards.

“There is a debate over what to teach as the subjects get longer each year,” said APUSH teacher Mr. Mitchell Cournoyer.

College Board, a nonprofit that oversees the national AP program, altered the curriculum last year. The new structure teaches themes of identity, exchange, and technology while testing skills such as periodization, contextualization, and comparison. It is meant to cultivate critical thinking skills and reflect the Common Core.

The final exam for the class consists of multiple choice, database, and essay questions. Students have to analyze quotes from historical speeches and documents, graphs, photographs, political cartoons, etc. The exam asks for specific ideas and thus teachers have to teach more to the test. The question arises, “Are we teaching you to be a citizen or just content?” said Cournoyer.

Critics of the changed method also claim the class does not include significant heroic figures in history and some of the themes appear to be portrayed negatively. The Republican National Committee condemned the new framework in August, criticizing its emphasis on negative aspects in history. They also argued College Board exhibits an inaccurate view of motivations of the 17th and 19th century settlers along with American involvement in World War II.

Other individuals believe that scrutinizing the history of the country is vital in order for students to learn. Examining the social and economic structures that were in place while crucial events transpired can teach students what designs worked or failed in the government. The goal of the new APUSH method is to push individuals to inspect the momentous actions of the past by doing more than just reading content. This means analyzing  negative aspects of  prior years cannot be avoided.

The current events occurring in the world right now have ties to the past. Women are not required by law to receive the same wages as men; the US has the highest recorded individuals in prison; wealth inequality and continued racism prevail. If people are not educated on these topics then future generations will be unable to strive for improvement.

Oklahoma is not the first state to battle over the APUSH controversy. Last fall the school board in Jefferson County, Colorado, announced plans for a review committee to ensure APUSH materials promote citizenship and patriotism. Students protested this by walking out of class. This forced four school shutdowns in the Denver area. Lawmakers in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina also threatened to cut funding for the class.

The scores of the nationwide final for the class will most likely help to determine what the framework for future years will include. “It’s really a positive class. Kids need that class there,” said Cournoyer.