College Board Reaffirms Commitment to AP African American Studies Course in Response to Florida Department of Education’s “Slander

The College Board, the organization overseeing Advanced Placement courses and college entrance exams, has accused the Florida Department of Education of “slander” in response to ongoing critiques of its new AP African American Studies course.

The course, which was rolled out in a pilot program across 60 unnamed U.S. high schools this year, has been met with resistance from Florida Republicans, who passed the Stop WOKE Act last year, which has led to an anti-Black movement in the state’s schools. Last month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced that the Florida Department of Education would reject the new course because it included topics about race.

In a statement released on Saturday, the College Board expressed regret for not immediately denouncing the Florida Department of Education’s slander, and reaffirmed its commitment to the course. The statement read, “Our commitment to AP African American Studies is unwavering. We deeply regret not immediately denouncing the Florida Department of Education’s slander, magnified by the DeSantis administration’s subsequent comments, that African American Studies ‘lacks educational value.'”

The course, which is in its pilot phase, covers topics like mass incarceration and reparations. The College Board has argued that the course is necessary to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of African American history and culture, and to equip them with the skills to become active citizens in a diverse society.

The College Board’s statement has been met with support from many educators and activists, who have argued that the course is essential for students to understand the history of racism in the United States and its impact on contemporary society. The organization has vowed to continue to fight for the course, and to ensure that all students have access to a comprehensive education.