69传媒

Social Studies

Offering AP African American Studies in Georgia Just Got Complicated

By Ileana Najarro 鈥 July 23, 2024 2 min read
Cole Wicker answers a question during a lesson on Black fraternities and sororities as part of the AP African American Studies class at Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Ky., on March 19, 2024.
  • Save to favorites
  • Print
Email Copy URL

69传媒 in Georgia hoping to take the College Board鈥檚 new Advanced Placement African American Studies course hit a snag after the state superintendent withheld state approval for the course for the 2024-25 school year.

It marks yet another roadblock for the already tumultuous rollout of the new interdisciplinary course. It drew national headlines in 2023 when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis banned the pilot course for allegedly defying state law restricting instruction on topics of race. Since then, Arkansas and South Carolina officials complicated access to the course by withholding state approval for the course, meaning local schools and districts can offer the it, but cannot use state funding to cover its costs.

Florida, Arkansas, South Carolina, and Georgia are all among the 17 states that have imposed bans or restrictions on teaching about race, gender and critical race theory since 2021.

Thirty-three schools in Georgia participated in the pilot program of AP African American Studies last school year, according to the nonprofit College Board. The course, which has undergone various revisions, officially launches nationwide this fall. Hundreds of schools across the country participated in the two-year pilot, including in states such as Kentucky with legislation restricting instruction on race.

To gain state approval in Georgia so schools could use state funding to cover costs for the course, either state school superintendent Richard Woods or the state board of education had to approve the course, said Meghan Frick, spokesperson for the state department of education.

鈥淪uperintendent Woods has opted not to recommend this course for state approval at this time,鈥 Frick said. 鈥淒istricts have multiple options to offer courses on this topic to their students. Local districts may still offer the AP course with local funding. Additionally, Superintendent Woods鈥 administration added a course code for a state-funded African American Studies course in 2020.鈥

In an effort to support Georgia districts or schools that choose to still teach the new AP course this fall, the College Board said classes would qualify for AP credit so long as these classes still meet required standards. 69传媒 would then still be eligible for college credit based on their year-end exam score.

The nonprofit pledged similar support to schools in South Carolina last month when state officials there rejected the AP African American Studies course along with AP Precalculus.

South Carolina officials referred to a state budget provision that restricts instruction on race and 鈥減ending permanent legislation鈥 in a memo announcing the decision. Georgia officials did not provide additional reasoning on their decision.

At least one Georgia district, Gwinnett County public schools, said it will no longer offer the AP African American Studies course due to the state decision. This impacts about 240 students at six schools who had already registered to take the course.

District officials said they received notice from the state on July 10. The district鈥檚 school year starts Aug. 5.

鈥淚n GCPS, we are committed to offering a comprehensive and inclusive education for each and every student,鈥 said Calvin J. Watts, the district superintendent in a statement. 鈥淭he 2023-24 AP African American Studies pilot was successful, and we are disappointed that students will neither have the opportunity to take, nor to receive credit for this innovative college-level course.鈥

Related Tags:

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Artificial Intelligence Webinar
AI and Educational Leadership: Driving Innovation and Equity
Discover how to leverage AI to transform teaching, leadership, and administration. Network with experts and learn practical strategies.
Content provided by 
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
School Climate & Safety Webinar
Investing in Success: Leading a Culture of Safety and Support
Content provided by 
Assessment K-12 Essentials Forum Making Competency-Based Learning a Reality
Join this free virtual event to hear from educators and experts working to implement competency-based education.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide 鈥 elementary, middle, high school and more.
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.

Read Next

Social Studies 'Can We Trust This Source?' And Other Questions Readers Ask in History
Historical texts require students to weigh authors' bias, context, and audience.
7 min read
Illustration of student reading book with tinted glasses.
Dan Page for Education Week
Social Studies Download How to Hold a Mock Election in Your Classroom: A Downloadable Guide
Tips for an engaging, age-appropriate mock election that develops students' voting habits.
1 min read
A bin of "I Voted Today" stickers rests on a table at a polling place, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, in Stratham, N.H.
A bin of "I Voted Today" stickers rests on a table at a polling place, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, in Stratham, N.H.
Charles Krupa/AP
Social Studies Mock Elections in 69传媒 Evolve to Build Trust in Democracy
69传媒 use mock elections to help build voting habits early and help students understand the electoral process.
9 min read
69传媒 at Northside Intermediate prepare for a mock election on Nov. 8, 2016 in Opelika, Ala.
69传媒 at Northside Intermediate School in Opelika, Alaska, prepare for a mock election on Nov. 8, 2016.
Todd Van Emst/Opelika-Auburn News via AP
Social Studies Opinion A Year After Oct. 7, Silence Isn't an Option for Teachers
Teaching about the Israel-Hamas war can feel impossible, but two guardrails offer a path.
Eli Gottlieb
5 min read
A small plant signifying hope grows out of a crack in the pavement, casting  shadow of the large tree it will grow into. Candles burn in remembrance.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + iStock/E+/Getty Images