College Board Condemns Florida Department of Education’s “Repulsive” Attacks on Black Scholars

The College Board, an educational nonprofit, has released a statement condemning the Florida Department of Education’s “slander” of its African American Studies course. The department had deemed the advanced high school course “lacks educational value.”

The College Board stated that their failure to immediately denounce the department’s comments “betrayed Black scholars everywhere and those who have long toiled to build this remarkable field.” They called the attacks “on Black scholars repulsive” and said “they must stop.”

The controversy began on Jan. 12, when the Florida Department of Education sent a letter to the College Board saying the course “could not be approved as written.” The College Board characterized the DeSantis administration’s vocal rejection of the course as a “PR stunt” used to further the governor’s agenda.

In response to the controversy, the College Board has expressed regret for not immediately denouncing the Florida Department of Education’s slander. They have also called for the attacks on Black scholars to stop.

Governor DeSantis has since said he will “re-evaluate” the state’s relationship with the College Board. It is unclear what the outcome of this evaluation will be.