At least four states have joined Florida in questioning the veracity of the College Board’s proposed Advanced Placement (AP) African American studies course.
Officials in Arkansas, Virginia, North Dakota, and Mississippi said they had questions and planned reviews before deciding whether the new class may be taught in their classrooms, reports the Washington Post. Another four states said no review was planned but suggested that could change.
“I haven’t seen the course content for this particular course but just from reading certain news reports there are allegations that it contains elements of critical race theory,” said Dale Wetzel, spokesman for the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction.
“So we’re going to need to look at it. We don’t want to assign a course code to something that violates state law.”
Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera now says she is reviewing the College Board’s proposed AP African American Studies course after Governor Glenn Youngkin received “numerous reports about draft course content,” according to Youngkin’s spokeswoman Macaulay Porter, reports News6 in Richmond.
The eye of the controversy
If you have been following this story, it is obvious where the controversy and “certain news reports,” originated. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is the culprit, accusing the College Board of pushing a “woke” political agenda.
It is interesting that Florida in 1994 became the first state to pass a law mandating the teaching of African American history in schools. According to the statute, children are to be taught:
“the history of African Americans, including the history of African peoples before the political conflicts that led to the development of slavery, the passage to America, the enslavement experience, abolition, and the contributions of African Americans to society.”
Florida Statute 1003.42(2)(h)
Looking at the statute, it seems plain enough that Black history is and should be taught in Florida schools, so what is the problem?
The College Board’s proposed course includes major topic areas that cover the African diaspora; freedom, enslavement, and resistance; and movements and debates, including the civil rights movement and discussions of identity and culture.
So, looking at Florida’s and the College Board’s course outlines – this is not the problem. But let’s go further…
In recent years, Republicans have made the teaching of race and racial topics a “political football.” In June 2021, Florida joined multiple states in banning the teaching of “critical race theory.”
At that time, more than a dozen states had introduced or passed laws banning the teaching of the subject, despite opposition from many educators.
Dr. Debra Robinson, a board member of the Palm Beach County School Board addressed the issue: There was this accusation that we want to teach kids Critical Race Theory. No,” Robinson said. “But as one of the speakers said, I want to teach them critical thinking and how to find the facts for yourself because there’s so much misinformation out there for children and adults. You could run down any rabbit hole and be absolutely certain you are correct.”
And I could add many other quotes backing up Dr. Robinson. It all comes down to many Republicans fearful of the teaching of concepts that would indoctrinate students with ideologies, such as Critical Race Theory.
But teaching the truth, regardless of what it may turn out to involve is far better than accepting and swallowing the misconceptions and misinformation that swirl around our education system today.
