July 24th 2024.
Unfortunately, students in Georgia may not have the opportunity to take AP African American Studies in the upcoming school year. The state's Board of Education has made the decision to block funding for the course, citing concerns over national anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) efforts. This means that many districts will no longer be able to offer the class, as they will not receive the necessary funding for teacher salaries and class materials. This decision has sparked outrage among some local Democrats, who see it as an injustice to students.
Rep. Jasmine Clark, who represents the Lilburn area, expressed her disappointment in a statement, saying, "The fact that AP African American Studies was removed from our schools is alarming and an injustice to our students who eagerly anticipated taking this course. Erasure of black history from our schools is not and never will be okay!" However, Georgia's school superintendent Richard Woods has refused to disclose his reasoning for denying the funds, stating through a spokesperson that he "has opted not to recommend this course for state approval at this time."
This decision comes as a result of the growing anti-DEI movement, which has led to changes in the course's exam by the College Board, the organization responsible for AP courses and exams. In response to criticism, questions on topics such as reparations and Black Lives Matter have been removed from the exam. However, new subjects, such as the discriminatory housing practice known as "redlining" and the Tulsa Race Massacre, have been added. Some Georgia schools were planning to offer the updated curriculum in the 2023-24 school year, but the current ban will put those plans on hold indefinitely.
Calvin Watts, the superintendent of Gwinnett County, expressed disappointment in the ban, stating, "We are committed to offering a comprehensive and inclusive education for each and every student. The 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." This decision follows similar actions taken by other states, such as Florida, whose governor, Ron DeSantis, has also banned AP African American Studies in high schools.
According to Politico, DeSantis believes that the course promotes a political agenda rather than truly educating students. This statement has received backlash from educators and lawmakers in the state. While Georgia public school districts are still able to offer the course, it is unlikely to happen without financial support. Additionally, the state's own approved course does not qualify for AP credit.
Overall, the ban on AP African American Studies in Georgia is a setback for students who were looking forward to taking the course. It also highlights the ongoing struggle to incorporate diverse perspectives and histories into education, as anti-DEI efforts continue to put a damper on efforts to do so.
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