The College Board Strips BLM & Black Queer Coursework From AP African American Studies Following Florida Governor Criticism

The College Board has stripped away important parts of its African-American Studies curriculum after backlash from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Initially introduced in August 2022, the highschool A.P. class would discover the Black Lives Matter Motion, essential race principle, little-known African-American leaders, Black queer and feminist experiences, Black students, and a lot extra. Students of colour hailed the course as a treasure trove of African-American information that every one ought to study extra about. Sady, Gov. DeSantis slammed the coursework, and different conservatives shortly adopted swimsuit.

In January, DeSantis introduced that he would ban the curriculum, which was purported to be taught in Florida’s public excessive colleges all through the upcoming faculty 12 months. After reviewing the tough draft, state training officers felt that the fabric wasn’t correct, even accusing The College Board of violating a state legislation that mandates how race is taught in public colleges. One other roadblock for the Board was the elimination of essential race principle in colleges throughout a number of states.

In an indication of defeat, the Board launched its ultimate draft on Wednesday, which eliminated a number of of probably the most anticipated parts. The gadgets that DeSantis was most involved about had been all stripped from the 234-page class overview. All references to BLM, Black Queer Studies, and reparations for slavery had been gone. As an alternative, it added one thing referred to as “Black conservatism,” which is a analysis venture matter. The College Board stated no faculty districts reviewed the ultimate draft earlier than it was launched.

Black leaders spoke out virtually instantly to slam the brand new curriculum, which seemingly crumbled underneath pressures from Republicans. Georgetown College, Robert J. Patterson, who teaches African American Studies and helped develop the lesson, was saddened by the up to date define. On the similar time, Democratic Florida Senator Shevrin Jones referred to as it a “systematic attack on public education” by the hands of Florida’s governor.

“This is part of a larger war on our very ability to think, question, and engage in our democracy. It is a national attempt to redirect how students learn,” Jones acknowledged.