The College Board has issued new frameworks for its Advanced Placement US History test. The guidelines call for greater emphasis on the country's founding documents and founding fathers.

The changes come after education leaders in a number of states, including Georgia, objected to an earlier redesign of the course. Critics said that version focused on negative aspects of American history, highlighting events like slavery and the persecution of Native Americans.

The latest version of the course guidelines clarifies a number of areas "to reflect their importance in U.S. history," according to a news release from the Georgia Department of Education. Those include ideals of liberty and self-governance; figures like Washington, Adams, Hamilton and Madison; founding documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and the role of religious groups and ideas in shaping American society and political life.

Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods in a statement calls the changes "a big step in the right direction," adding he's "pleased" the changes address concerns he raised in a meeting with the president of the College Board.

Here's the full list of topics clarified in the new frameworks, according to the Georgia DOE:

• American national identity and unity
• American ideals of liberty, citizenship, self-governance, and how those ideals play out in U.S. history
• American founding political leaders, including Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Madison, Hamilton, and Franklin
• Founding Documents – including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Federalist Papers – as reflected in a new recommended focus section
• Productive role of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation in shaping U.S. history
• U.S. role in the victories of WWI and WWII, particularly the contributions and sacrifices of American servicemen and women in those wars
• U.S. leadership in ending the Cold War
• Role of religious ideas and groups in shaping American society and political life

Tags: apush, ap us history, gadoe, Georgia Department of Education, Richard Woods, College Board