Title: A Rocky Start: A.P. African American Studies Faces Obstacles Amidst Content Controversy
In February, the launch of A.P. African American Studies faced a series of challenges as the College Board – the nonprofit organization administering the A.P. program – revised the course’s content. The administration of Florida Republican presidential candidate Governor Ron DeSantis expressed objections to the class, citing concerns about leftist ideology in schools.
African American studies is an interdisciplinary subject that encompasses various concepts from history, sociology, politics, legal studies, arts, and culture. However, the College Board faced criticism for removing or diluting important subjects and concepts from the course framework. These included critical race theory and mass incarceration, which sparked outcry among scholars.
In response to the controversy, the College Board – a prominent figure in the education sector – acknowledged mistakes in its dealings with the DeSantis administration. They promised to revise the course once again to ensure students receive “the most holistic possible introduction to African American studies.”
The final version of the course remains undecided, and there is uncertainty about whether it will be widely offered in conservative-leaning states that have recently enacted laws limiting discussions on race and gender in schools.
Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas signed legislation in March that indirectly addresses critical race theory. The law protects instruction on the history of race, ethnicity, and sex, and allows teachers to discuss “public policy issues of the day and related ideas that individuals may find unwelcome, disagreeable, or offensive.” However, the language of such laws is often subject to interpretation.
The Arkansas Department of Education declined to answer specific questions about its objections to the class, emphasizing that it is not a history course. Notably, the state’s superintendent, Jacob Oliva, previously held a senior education position in Florida under Governor DeSantis.
Communication director Alexa Henning, representing Governor Huckabee Sanders, stated on Twitter that the state already offers an African American history class. Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of teaching all aspects of American history and supporting rigorous courses that are not based on opinions or indoctrination.
The College Board responded to the controversy, expressing surprise, confusion, and disappointment towards Arkansas’ recent move. They rejected the notion that the A.P. African American studies course is indoctrination in any form and highlighted that more than 200 colleges have agreed to provide credit for the class, including the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
The conflict in Arkansas sheds light on the challenging position that the College Board finds itself in, attempting to navigate between the higher education sphere, where universities require content standards for high school classes to grant credit, and the public education sector, where curriculum discussions have become increasingly politicized and entangled in culture-war battles.
As the College Board works toward resolving the content controversy surrounding A.P. African American Studies, it remains imperative to strike a balance that satisfies both academic rigor and the need for a comprehensive understanding of African American history and culture.