College Board Releases Final Framework for New Advanced Placement Course in African American Studies

On Wednesday, the College Board released the official framework of a new Advanced Placement course in African American Studies, the first day of Black History Month. The course was first announced last August, and the board decided on the final framework after feedback from educators and students, as well as principles that have guided and served as the ultimate foundation of AP courses.

The 221-page framework details the required course content and includes an overview of topics such as the history of African American people, the civil rights movement, and the contributions of African Americans to the United States. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had previously objected to some of the topics and authors that were initially part of the course, but those topics – Black queer studies and Black feminism – are not in the official course. However, students can take them on as part of a required research project.

The board worked with 300 professors of African American Studies from hundreds of colleges nationwide, including dozens of historically Black colleges. The course has been praised by academics and historians, but has also become a target for lawmakers aiming to restrict how topics like racism and history are being taught in public schools.

The College Board hopes the new course will help students gain a better understanding of African American history and culture, and will provide an opportunity for students to gain college credit. The course is set to be available in the 2021-2022 school year.