Overview:
Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp has sent an open letter to State Superintendent Richard Woods, seeking clarification on the decision not to approve AP African American History for the 2024-2025 school year.
Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp is questioning State Superintendent Richard Woods’ decision not to approve AP African American History for the 2024-2025 school year.
In an open letter dated today, Kemp acknowledges that his office doesn’t have a role in the decision. However, he says his office has fielded calls from stakeholders seeking information about the reasoning behind Woods’ choice.
The governor poses ten questions to Woods and his office, focusing on the course’s pilot during the 2023-2024 school year and the timeline leading to Woods’ final decision to deny the course.
Kemp’s inquiries include whether the state funded the pilot, how much it cost, and if the curriculum was reviewed before the pilot. He also asks about specific parts of the curriculum that raised concerns and led to the decision not to recommend the course for approval.
The governor seeks information on how many students and districts participated in the pilot, as well as data on how many pilot AP courses have been recommended or not recommended by the state over the past decade.
Kemp’s questions come amid widespread criticism from legislators and community members.
The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus has spoken out against the decision. In a statement released Wednesday, the group emphasized the importance of African American Studies in fostering understanding and appreciation of shared history and cultural heritage.
“Removing this course deprives our students of a vital opportunity to learn and engage with important aspects of our society,” the caucus stated.
On Wednesday at noon, 15 Democratic lawmakers protested the recent decision to remove Advanced Placement African American Studies from the state’s curriculum.
State Sen. Nikki Merritt, a Democrat from suburban Lawrenceville, led the charge, expressing solidarity with students and teachers affected by the change.
“We are gathered here today in solidarity, standing firm with our students and teachers who have been blindsided by an abrupt and unjust decision to remove AP African American Studies reports from our state curriculum,” Merritt said. “This decision strips away a vital opportunity for our students to engage with and understand a significant part of our shared history.”
The removal of AP African American Studies has sparked controversy and debate across the state. Supporters of the course argue that it provides essential knowledge about the contributions and experiences of African Americans throughout U.S. history.
Parents have also expressed outrage on social media. A parent from South Fulton questioned whether Woods would also cancel other AP history courses, such as European History, World History, and U.S. History.
The AP African American History course is one of 39 courses offered by the College Board across various disciplines, including art, science, math, and history.
While Woods doesn’t report directly to the governor, the two share a working relationship. Woods has worked to advance Kemp’s agenda through COVID-19 and a push for increased Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) offerings at the state level.
The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE), which Woods leads, oversees public education throughout the state.
As the debate continues, educators, parents, and policymakers are closely watching for Woods’ response to Kemp’s inquiries. The answers could provide insight into the decision-making process and potentially influence future discussions about curriculum choices in Georgia’s public schools.
There should be stated guidelines on how a new or revised course is developed; reviewed by a panel or committee of qualified professionals; and then offered as a pilot course in several locations throughout the state to
see how it is received by students, teachers and parents.