Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration has blocked a new advanced course in African American studies from being taught in high schools, saying it violates state law and is historically inaccurate.
The state Department of Education rejected the program in a letter last week to the College Board, which oversees AP classes.
Florida education officials did not specify exactly what content the state found objectionable, but said, “As presented, the content of this course inexplicably violates Florida law and is significantly lacking in educational value.”
“Going forward, if the College Board is willing to come back to the table with legitimate, historically accurate content, (the education department) will always be willing to reopen the discussion,” the letter continued.
In a statement, the College Board said, “Like all new AP courses, AP African American Studies is going through a rigorous, multi-year pilot phase, gathering feedback from teachers, students, scholars and policymakers.”
“The process of piloting and revising course frameworks is a standard part of any new AP course, and frameworks often change significantly as a result,” the statement said.
The College Board website describes the course as interdisciplinary, touching on literature, arts, humanities, political science, geography and natural sciences. The pilot program debuted in 60 schools nationwide before expanding to additional schools. The organization has been working on building the course for more than a decade, according to its website.
DeSantis, a potential 2024 GOP presidential nominee, has opposed what he calls liberal ideologies in schools, including lessons around critical race theory that addresses systemic racism and has become a frequent target of conservatives.
Last year, the governor signed legislation called the Stop WOKE Act, which restricts certain conversations and analyzes based on race in schools and businesses. The law prohibits the instruction that members of a race are inherently racist or should feel guilty for past acts committed by others of the same race, among other things.
Most recently, the governor’s budget office called on public colleges to submit information on spending on programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion and critical race theory, raising concerns about potential funding cuts around such initiatives.
Sharon Courtney, a high school teacher in Peekskill, N.Y., who teaches an African American studies course, said her students were “shocked” when they learned Florida had blocked the class. She described it as a factual course in African history that also describes what Africans experienced when they arrived in North America.
“No offense, it’s a story that’s not traditionally taught in the United States in a K-to-12 setting,” she said, “but it’s also a story that, once known and understood, can change race relations and improve them .”
Add Comment