Georgia Superintendent Reverses Stance on Funding for Advanced Placement African American Studies Course

On Wednesday, Richard Woods, the Superintendent of Schools for Georgia, announced a pivotal reversal in policy regarding the funding of an Advanced Placement (AP) course in African American Studies. This decision comes in response to substantial public criticism and advocacy, and it represents a significant shift from the state’s earlier stance. Under the new policy, Georgia will provide financial support to school districts that choose to utilize a pre-existing course code from the state's catalog of state-funded courses, which has been available since 2020. This development addresses the controversy surrounding the state's prior refusal to fund the AP course, which had sparked widespread concerns about the potential suppression of Black history education.

Details of the Policy Change

In his statement, Superintendent Woods outlined that districts opting to use the established course code will now be eligible for state funding. Although the AP African American Studies course itself was not previously designated for state funding, the use of this existing code provides districts with the flexibility to integrate elements of the AP course into their curricula. As a result, students enrolled in these courses will be able to take the associated AP exam, facilitating their access to college-level coursework and potential college credit.

"Districts using this course code will receive state funding," Woods affirmed. "Should districts choose to do so, they may teach some or all of the standards in the AP African American Studies course using this code (and students may take the associated AP exam)."

Background and Reactions

The initial decision to withhold funding from the AP African American Studies course faced intense criticism from educators, community advocates, and policymakers. Critics argued that this stance undermined efforts to provide comprehensive education on Black history. The controversy was further amplified by similar restrictions observed in other states, including Florida and Arkansas, where legislative actions have curtailed the inclusion of AP African American Studies courses.

State Representative Jasmine Clark, a Democrat from Lilburn, was particularly vocal in her critique of Woods' initial position. On Thursday, she expressed cautious optimism regarding the policy reversal, acknowledging its positive implications while noting the provisional nature of the solution. Clark commented on Facebook, "His reversal, on principle, is great, and honors the fact that this course should have never been on the chopping block in the first place."

Clark also highlighted that while the use of the existing course code represents a workaround, it does not necessarily resolve all concerns. She announced plans to meet with the Department of Education to ensure that students taking the course will receive the same GPA quality points as their peers enrolled in other AP courses. "Since this course is a college-level course, there must be parity between this course and all other AP offerings," she added.

Procedural and Administrative Context

For a course to be eligible for state funding, it must receive approval from the State Board of Education, which is appointed by the governor. This funding is critical for covering educational materials and teacher salaries. Woods had initially opted not to recommend the AP African American Studies course for board approval but did not elaborate on the reasons behind this decision.

In his most recent statement, Woods addressed his previous reservations, noting that his review of the AP African American Studies course had raised concerns about endorsing the entirety of the course content. "It’s my position that districts should use the existing course code — which offers them the flexibility to develop their own curriculum based on local priorities, or to use standards from the AP course if they choose and in consultation with their communities," Woods explained.

Current Implementation and Future Prospects

During the current academic year, 33 schools in Georgia have piloted an African American Studies course, according to Sara Sympson, a spokesperson for the College Board. The College Board, a nonprofit organization responsible for administering AP courses and exams, provides a wide array of subjects across disciplines such as math, science, social studies, foreign languages, and fine arts. AP courses are designed to deliver college-level instruction to high school students, enabling them to earn college credit based on their performance on final exams.

Conclusion

The reversal by Superintendent Richard Woods marks a significant shift in Georgia’s educational policy concerning the AP African American Studies course. By aligning with a pre-existing course code, the state acknowledges the critical importance of offering students access to a comprehensive curriculum on African American history while navigating the complexities of state education funding. However, ongoing scrutiny and administrative oversight will be essential to ensure the equitable treatment of this course and its integration within the broader framework of AP offerings.