DeSantis has banned AP African-American studies from Florida high schools

@NJChicaa (115921)
United States
January 19, 2023 5:32pm CST
I didn't think that he could get worse this week after seeking to ban COVID and flu vaccines in the state of Florida but Ron DeSantis has now outdone himself. Florida has banned the course of AP African-American Studies from high schools saying that it is "inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value.” Wait. What?!?! The Florida Department of Education’s Office of Articulation recently wrote to the College Board rejecting the course and saying that it will reconsider if it comes back with "lawful, historically accurate content". That obviously refers to recent bills passed in the state banning critical race theory (which isn't taught outside of law schools anyway) and how race is discussed in schools in general. Honestly I find this outrageous. AP (advanced placement) classes in high school are electives taught at a college level that students can earn college credit provided they score well on the end-of-year AP exam. That means they are getting those credits for free while getting high school credits to graduate. I took AP History 1 and 2, got a 4 (out of 5) on the AP exam, and the university I went to awarded me 6 history credits that I didn't have to pay for. The selection of AP courses 25 years ago was pretty limited but these days there are so many. It is incredible. Aside from the fact that AP classes are elective, they also are selective. You have to meet certain academic requirements (GPA, attendance, teacher recommendation) in order to be allowed to take them. I find that DeSantis and his, well, lets just say "ideas" are overstepping the line on this. An advanced placement course on African-American studies isn't something being forced on students. 3rd graders aren't taking it. These are high school students (typically juniors and seniors) who CHOOSE to take the class because they have an interest in it. What a shame for economically-disadvantaged students (or ANY student) to be denied the ability to earn college credit just because DeSantis is a racist or a Trump wannabe or is playing to the GOP base. And what an INSULT to African-Americans, the teachers of that class, and students who want to learn about it to say that it has no educational value. I always thought that Texas was the one state that was the last one I'd ever want to live in. Nope. Now it is Florida. Ron DeSantis is an awful human being.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/19/politics/ron-desantis-ap-african-american-studies/index.html
2 people like this
2 responses
@LindaOHio (155562)
• United States
20 Jan 23
I read the news clip on my Bing page and wondered what the story was behind it.
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33351)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
20 Jan 23
I have no words at all.
1 person likes this