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The College Board has released the updated framework for its AP African American Studies course, which was 

 earlier this year following criticism from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and state officials.

The College Board — which offers Advanced Placement courses that can help high school students earn college credit — 

 Wednesday that it arrived at the newest version of the course framework after "intense public debate."

The new framework is intended to be used when the course officially launches in the 2024-2025 school year.

"This course is a vibrant introduction to a dynamic field that offers a broader perspective," Brandi Waters, senior director and program manager of African American Studies in the Advanced Placement Program, said in a statement.

"This is the course I wish I had in high school," Waters added. "I hope every interested student has the opportunity to take it."

Months back, Florida's Department of Education 

, with state officials claiming that it had a "political agenda" that would indoctrinate students.

The College Board revised the curriculum in February, but that 

, including from those who accused the educational body of caving to the demands of the conservative governor, who is now running for president.

 released this week excludes some topics that DeSantis had criticized, such as the Black queer experience, according to the 

But it also includes a mention of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback 

Colin Kaepernick's protest of police brutality

 during the national anthem, as well as a reference to Black Lives Matter as an example of optional further study in the class.

The governor's office deferred comment to the Florida Department of Education, which did not immediately respond to NPR's request for comment. 

Roughly 13,000 students in 700 schools across the U.S. are currently 

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Controversy swirled around the new course after it was rejected by the Florida Department of Education, with conservative critics accusing the College Board of bias.

The College Board releases a new framework for its AP African American Studies course

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