A proposed high school Advanced Placement course on African American studies has been rejected by the state of Florida in a letter calling the course “inexplicably in violation of Florida law.”
The Jan. 12 letter, sent by the Florida Department of Education’s office of articulation to the College Board — the organization that administers the SAT, PSAT and other standardized tests — also says the course “lacks significant educational value,” but does not articulates his objections.
“Should (the) Executive Board be willing to come back to the table with lawful, historically accurate content in the future, the FDOE will always be ready to reopen the discussion,” the letter said.
Rejection part of a larger reform of the Florida education system
Cassie Palelis, press secretary for the Florida Department of Education, did not immediately respond to a question about what part of the Florida law the proposed course violated.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a potential 2024 presidential candidate, has spent much of his time in office reforming the state’s education system and fighting what he calls “awakened” politics, signing bills that would restrict discussion of race, gender and sexual orientation in schools .
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Such efforts have been embraced and echoed by Republican leaders and candidates across the country and by parent groups such as Moms for Liberty, a group born out of frustrations over mask and vaccine mandates that has tapped into concerns about “parental rights” and ” indoctrination” of children to gain influence while inspiring armies of mothers across the country to take on his crusade.
What is the African American Studies course?
More than 10 years in the making, the College Board’s TBEN African American Studies class launched as a pilot this school year, debuting in 60 high schools across the country.
Additional high schools will have the opportunity to offer it during the 2023-24 school year, and the course will be available in all schools the following year, the College Board said.
The course emerges in the midst of a national clash over teaching race-related curriculum and battles over critical race theory, a concept that explores how racism permeates American institutions. The concept is not traditionally taught in public schools, but the legacy of slavery is.
More:First TBEN African American studies to be offered in some high schools this fall
How did the Executive Board react?
In outlining the standards for advanced placement courses on its website, the College Board said it opposes both censorship and indoctrination, adding that such courses are designed to “foster an open-minded approach” while also encouraging students to enable them to “develop as independent thinkers and draw their own conclusions.”
In response to Florida’s letter, the College Board noted that, as with all new TBEN courses, the African American Studies course is subject to “a rigorous multi-year pilot phase” that gathers feedback from educators, students, scholars, and policymakers.
“We will publicly release the updated course framework when it is completed and well before this class is generally available in US high schools,” the College Board said. “We look forward to bringing this rich and inspiring exploration of African-American history and culture to students across the country.”
More:Schools become hotbeds of political conflict, especially in purple districts
How do some parents react?
In a statement, the National Parents Union said it was outraged by Florida’s rejection of the course, particularly its timing: within a week of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“Make no mistake: this is a direct attack on the Black and all BIPOC communities,” the union said. “…This behavior is dangerous and should concern every American.”
Nehemiah Frank, publisher of the Black Wall Street Times and founder of the union, said it would challenge the move.
“We will fight for the right of all children to learn the truth – and turn this into an opportunity to teach our children what it looks like to confront and organize against white supremacy,” said Frank .
