The Arkansas Times reports:
Word came Friday from distraught educators that a new Advanced Placement course on African American history was suddenly on the chopping block, just two days before the first bell of the school year was set to ring in Arkansas high schools planning to offer the class. An official from the Arkansas Department of Education reportedly alerted high school teachers by phone on Friday that the class would not be recognized for course credit by the state in the 2023-24 school year.
And unlike with every other AP class on offer, the state would not cover the $90 cost of an end-of-year test that gives students the opportunity to qualify for college course credit. The full impact of the state’s move is still unclear. Teachers were reportedly told they could still offer the class, but the state will not recognize it on the same level as other AP courses. The course will not count as a credit toward statewide graduation requirements.
Read the full article. And there’s an update below.
Update on the @ArkansasEd and @SarahHuckabee attack on African American history, families, and kids.
An email has been sent to the school districts that offer AP African American Studies and the entire course code has been deleted. pic.twitter.com/EyMGQfQICc
— Jim Ross (@rossjam) August 12, 2023
Schools that offer the class are being told there is a local credit code that will allow students to take the class but for no Smart Core credit nor will the state pay for the AP exam. District officials have not been told this. pic.twitter.com/Kz1FbkuuSm
— Jim Ross (@rossjam) August 12, 2023
The Arkansas Deparment of Education did not put this class before the board of education for approval. Just a reminder that AP European history will be given for credit and the state will pay for that exam. I know some of you don’t like it, but this is racism pure and simple.
— Jim Ross (@rossjam) August 12, 2023