The proposed changes to A.P. World History that would test students only on history after 1450 has brought an avalanche of objections from teachers and historians alike, including a pair of teachers in the Downingtown Area School District, writes Kathy Boccella for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

“They’re cutting out early civilizations and their interconnectedness, cutting out a lot of really neat stuff,” said Steve Smith, a veteran history teacher at Downingtown East High School.

The College Board said it decided on the changes because the current curriculum crams too much information into nine months. A.P. World History is taken by sophomores.

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Stephanie Skoglund, an A.P. World History teacher at Downingtown West High School, said students in her district have done well in general, and most earn their A.P. credit after taking the exam.

However, she said that the College Board is putting too much emphasis on the test itself and not enough on the growth that students get from the learning process.

“They’re doing a disservice to the students by not allowing them to learn about the diverse histories and cultures in Asia, South Asia and Africa, and the Middle East,” said Skoglund.

Read more about the changes to A.P. World History in the Philadelphia Inquirer here.