Florida blocks AP African American studies classes in high schools

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration has blocked a brand new Advanced Placement course on African American studies from being taught in high schools, saying it violates state legislation and is traditionally inaccurate.

The state schooling division rejected this system in a letter final week to the College Board, which oversees AP classes.

Florida schooling officers didn’t specify precisely what content material the state discovered objectionable however mentioned, “As presented, the content of this course is inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value.”

“In the future, should College Board be willing to come back to the table with lawful, historically accurate content, (the education department) will always be willing to reopen the discussion,” the letter continued.

In an announcement, the College Board mentioned, “Like all new AP courses, AP African American Studies is undergoing a rigorous, multi-year pilot phase, collecting 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 assertion learn.

The College Board web site describes the course as interdisciplinary, pertaining to literature, arts, humanities, political science, geography and science. The pilot program is debuting at 60 schools throughout the nation earlier than it expands to further schools. The group has been engaged on developing the course for greater than a decade, based on its web site.

DeSantis, a possible 2024 GOP presidential candidate, has opposed what he calls liberal ideologies in schools, together with classes round vital race concept, which examines systemic racism and has change into a frequent goal of conservatives.

Last 12 months the governor signed laws dubbed the Stop WOKE Act that restricts sure race-based conversations and evaluation in schools and companies. The legislation bars instruction that claims members of 1 race are inherently racist or ought to really feel guilt for previous actions dedicated by others of the identical race, amongst different issues.

More lately the governor’s price range workplace referred to as on state faculties to submit spending information on applications associated to range, fairness and inclusion and significant race concept, elevating considerations of potential funding cuts round such initiatives.

Sharon Courtney, a high faculty trainer in Peekskill, New York educating the African American studies course, mentioned her college students had been “shocked” to study Florida blocked the category. She described it as a factual African historical past course that additionally particulars what Africans skilled upon their arrival in North America.

“There’s nothing objectionable, it’s history that hasn’t been traditionally taught in the United States in a K through 12 setting,” she mentioned, “but it’s also history that once known and understood could change race relations and improve them.”