Florida bans new African American course in schools
Florida officials have blocked the introduction of a new advanced-level high school course that teaches African American history.
Governor Ron DeSantis‘ administration said the proposed course “lacks educational value and is contrary to Florida law”.
Officials did not specify what law the course breaks.
The Florida Department of Education outlined its intent to block the course in a 12 January letter to the College Board, writing that the course violates state law.
“In the future, should the College Board be willing to come back to the table with lawful, historically accurate content, (the Department of Education) will always be willing to reopen the discussion,” the letter said.
The Advanced Placement (AP) African American studies course is the College Board’s first new class since 2014. It is set to cover more than 400 years of African American history,
touching on topics like literature, political science and geography.
The course is part of a broader AP program in US high schools, which gives students the chance to take college-level courses before graduation.