College Board strips down AP African American Studies course after DeSantis’ rejection

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – The College Board made significant changes to the AP African American Studies course after the DeSantis administration rejected it citing Critical Race Theory and an injection of political ideology.

Florida’s Voice compared the newly submitted syllabus to the rejected syllabus. The governor’s office said the Florida Department of Education is reviewing the new framework.

The teaching about the origins and impacts of the Black Lives Matter movement will now not be a required part of the course framework that is formally adopted by states that defines the exam. In the original syllabus, Black Lives Matter was a required topic.

The development and ideology of Black conservatism is now listed as an optional topic that can be taught for illustrative purposes. Black conservatism was not listed in the original syllabus.

The newly outlined course will not teach Black Queer Studies, which was originally listed out as a course topic. Reparations is also no longer a required part of the course framework, but is considered an optional topic. Previously, “the case for reparations” was slated to be taught as a requirement.

The Florida Department of Education had originally said the course solely advocated for reparations without providing other perspectives.

The department also previously flagged readings from Kimberle Crenshaw, who is known as the founder of Critical Race Theory and Angela Davis, a self-avowed Communist and Marxist. Another author, Leslie Kay, wrote about the “white supremacist superstructures that oppress us.” Neither of those authors are mentioned in the new course syllabus.

The new syllabus is stripped of teaching about the intersection of race and gender, which was included in several sections of the previous teaching. The new syllabus does include teachings about Black women activists calling to attention how they experienced the combined effects of race and gender discrimination.

Concepts including “racial capitalism” and “structural racism” are no longer included in the course. Racial capitalism is the concept that argues “the development, organization and expansion of capitalist society pursued essentially racial directions.” “Postracial” racism and “colorblindness” are also no longer listed as topics of discussion.

The College Board said the course outline defines what students will encounter on the AP Exam for college credit and placement. It has been the works for nearly a year.

“This course is an unflinching encounter with the facts and evidence of African American history and culture,” said David Coleman, CEO of the College Board. “No one is excluded from this course: the Black artists and inventors whose achievements have come to light; the Black women and men, including gay Americans, who played pivotal roles in the civil rights movement; and people of faith from all backgrounds who contributed to the antislavery and civil rights causes. Everyone is seen.”

Florida rejects AP African American Studies course, cites ‘political agenda’ and ‘ideological material’

In January, the Florida Department of Education rejected the College Board’s AP African American Studies, saying it lacked educational value and historical accuracy.

At the time, FDOE told the College Board in a letter that it can come back to the table with “lawful, historically accurate content” and the department will be willing to reopen the discussion.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the “Stop WOKE” legislation earlier this year. It bans educators and workplace employers from teaching Floridians that their “moral character” is determined by race, sex, or national origin. The bill also aims to prohibit corporations from mandating employees go through Critical Race Theory training.

“As submitted, the course is a vehicle for a political agenda and leaves large, ambiguous gaps that can be filled with additional ideological material, which we will not allow,” Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Press Secretary Bryan Griffin said at the time. “As Governor DeSantis has stated, our classrooms will be a place for education, not indoctrination.”

Editor’s note: this story was updated to include a statement from the governor’s office and the College Board.