Current:Home > MyGeorgia school chief says AP African American Studies can be taught after legal opinion -ThriveEdge Finance
Georgia school chief says AP African American Studies can be taught after legal opinion
View
Date:2025-04-15 07:59:13
The Georgia school superintendent announced Wednesday that he will add Advanced Placement African American Studies to the course catalog, enabling it to receive state funding, after declining to recognize the class last month over a law on teaching race in the classroom.
Superintendent Richard Woods’ turnaround on the nationally debated course comes two weeks after he faced backlash over his decision not to place it on the state catalog, citing H.B. 1084, which prohibits teaching on "divisive" racial concepts. Woods said the state attorney general recently clarified that the law did not restrict local school systems from adopting college-level classes, including AP African American Studies.
"As I have said, I will follow the law," Woods said. "In compliance with this opinion, the AP African American Studies course will be added to the state-funded course catalog effective immediately."
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr's letter cited by Woods and obtained by USA TODAY was sent to state Rep. William Wade – who sponsored H.B. 1084 – in response to the Georgia Republican's inquiry about whether the law applies to college-level courses.
AP African American Studies has been at the center of a nationwide political tug-of-war over teaching race in schools since its pilot in 2022. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis blocked the course in the Sunshine State in 2023, and officials in Arkansas said last August that students wouldn't receive high school credit for the class.
'African American history is my history'Is new AP African American Studies course too woke? We attended class to find out.
Superintendent: 'Disclaimer' will be added to AP classes
The Georgia law cited in Wednesday’s announcement passed along party lines in 2022 and labeled nine concepts around race and racism as "divisive," effectively banning them from any curriculum, classroom instruction, or mandatory training program.
The attorney general's Aug. 2 letter to Wade, which Carr said he received Tuesday, ascertains that the law doesn’t restrict local school systems from adopting any AP, IB, or dual enrollment class. Such courses are exempt from the law's restrictions as long as they are implemented "in a professionally and academically appropriate manner and without espousing personal political beliefs," Carr wrote, quoting H.B. 1084.
Woods noted in his announcement Wednesday that a "disclaimer" will be added to all AP classes in the state course catalog, which will note they are "solely owned and endorsed by the College Board," and have not been reviewed or approved by the state’s education department.
“As with any curriculum, school districts should use a process for reviewing, approving, and adopting AP courses and instructional frameworks that engages students, parents, educators, and community stakeholders,” the disclaimer reads, in part.
AP African American Studies course piloted in 2022
The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia commended Woods' decision Wednesday while noting the “politically-motivated ordeal” around the course also shined a light on the effects of H.B. 1084, and students who don't take college-level classes will still face barriers to inclusive education.
“Georgia’s students should be able to learn about African American Studies the same way they learn about math and chemistry — as accurately as possible,” wrote Andrea Young, executive director of ACLU Georgia.
AP courses are college-level classes offered to high schoolers that are developed by the College Board, a nonprofit education organization that has been around for over a century. High school students can earn college credits by taking AP classes.
The College Board piloted the AP African American Studies class in 2022 after more than a decade of development. It covers the origins of the African diaspora from about 900 B.C.E. up until the 2000s.
A USA TODAY analysis earlier this year of email correspondence from education officials in some red states showed staffers’ hesitancy to embrace the course because of the optics. The AP class could continue to face headwinds in the coming years as proposed bans targeting critical race theory (CRT) and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) turn up on legislative agendas.
Contributing: Alia Wong and Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY
veryGood! (95978)
Related
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Golden Globes 2024 Seating Chart Revealed: See Where Margot Robbie, Leonardo DiCaprio and More Will Sit
- Ex-Ohio lawmaker is sentenced to probation for domestic violence
- Vanderpump Rules' Ariana Madix Sues Ex Tom Sandoval Over Shared House
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
- Top White House budget official warns of ‘dire’ situation on Ukraine aid
- From Houthis to Hezbollah, a look at the Iran-allied groups rallying to arms around Middle East
- With banku and jollof rice, Ghanian chef tries to break world cook-a-thon record
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- The U.S. northeast is preparing for a weekend storm that threatens to dump snow, rain, and ice
Ranking
- Sam Taylor
- NRA chief, one of the most powerful figures in US gun policy, says he’s resigning days before trial
- David Soul, the actor who portrayed the blond half of TV’s ‘Starsky and Hutch,’ dies at 80
- 2 indicted in $8.5 million Airbnb, Vrbo scam linked to 10,000 reservations across 10 states
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- 50-year friendship offers a close look at caring dialogue on Israeli-Palestinian conflict
- Alabama man accused of stripping, jumping naked into Bass Pro Shop aquarium: Reports
- Florida can import prescription drugs from Canada, US regulators say
Recommendation
Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
Abortion initiative hits milestone for getting in front of Florida voters
The teacher shot by a 6-year-old still worries, a year later, about the other students in the room
Christopher Nolan recalls Peloton instructor's harsh 'Tenet' review: 'What was going on?'
A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
Wander Franco released while Dominican probe continues into alleged relationship with 14-year-old
Ryan Tannehill named starting quarterback for Tennessee Titans' Week 18 game vs. Jaguars
Republican US Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado announces he won’t seek reelection