Current:Home > NewsArkansas education secretary says state to review districts’ AP African American Studies materials -WealthMindset Learning
Arkansas education secretary says state to review districts’ AP African American Studies materials
Poinbank View
Date:2025-04-07 10:56:00
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas’ top education official on Monday told school districts offering an Advanced Placement African American Studies course to send in their course materials for review, citing concerns the class may not comply with a state law restricting how race is taught in the classroom.
Education Secretary Jacob Oliva sent the letter to the five districts that have said they will continue teaching the class after the state said it was not an approved course and would not count toward a student’s graduation credit.
Oliva has said since it’s a pilot program, the state has not been able to vet the course to determine if it complies with the law prohibiting “critical race theory” from being taught at schools.
The state had previously said the districts could offer the course as a local elective. The districts have said they’ll continue teaching the course at six schools and that it will count toward students’ grade point averages.
“Given some of the themes included in the pilot, including ‘intersections of identity’ and ‘resistance and resilience’ the Department is concerned the pilot may not comply with Arkansas law, which does not permit teaching that would indoctrinate students with ideologies, such as Critical Race Theory,” Oliva wrote in the letter. The letter was first reported by the Arkansas Advocate website.
Oliva’s letter asked the districts to send assurances that the course materials will not violate state law or rules, and to submit materials such as the syllabus, training materials and textbooks. He asked the districts to respond by noon on Sept. 8.
The state’s announcement that the course would not count toward graduation has prompted criticism from the NAACP and Black lawmakers, who say the state is sending the wrong message.
Arkansas and other Republican-led states have placed restrictions on how race is taught in the classroom. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, earlier this year blocked high schools in his state from teaching the AP African American Studies course.
The College Board website describes the course as interdisciplinary, touching on literature, arts, humanities, political science, geography and science. The pilot program debuted last school year at 60 schools across the country, and it was set to expand to more this year.
The College Board said Monday that the course’s framework has been available for public review since Feb. 1 and said teachers use the framework to develop their own curriculum and instruction for their classes.
The College Board said the course “is not indoctrination, plain and simple.”
“AP teachers are experienced and highly skilled professionals,” the College Board said in a statement. “We are fully confident in their abilities to teach this course in complete compliance without any indoctrination.”
A spokeswoman for Little Rock School District, one of the districts teaching the course, said officials there were reviewing Oliva’s letter. The district is offering the course at Little Rock Central High School, site of the 1957 racial desegregation crisis.
The Jacksonville North Pulaski School District declined to comment, and eStem Charter Schools said it was getting guidance about the request. The North Little Rock and Jonesboro school districts did not immediately respond Monday afternoon.
veryGood! (7118)
Related
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- Former Catholic priest admits to sexual misconduct with 11-year-old boy he took on beach vacation
- Connecticut school district lost more than $6 million in cyber attack, so far gotten about half back
- Sweden stakes claim as a Women's World Cup favorite by stopping Japan in quarterfinals
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Tennessee hospital faces civil rights investigation over release of transgender health records
- Harry Styles and Taylor Russell Cozy Up During London Outing
- Disney is raising prices on ad-free Disney+, Hulu — and plans a crackdown on password sharing
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Standoff in Michigan ends with suspect dead and deputy US marshal injured
Ranking
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Tensions rise as West African nations prepare to send troops to restore democracy in Niger
- Last of 6 men convicted in Wisconsin paper mill death granted parole
- Virgin Galactic launches its first space tourist flight, stepping up commercial operations
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- UN says 5 staff members kidnapped in Yemen 18 months ago walk free
- San Francisco has lots of self-driving cars. They're driving first responders nuts
- Iowa State RB Jirehl Brock, three other starters charged in gambling investigation
Recommendation
The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
Conservative groups are challenging corporate efforts to diversify workforce
Sweden stakes claim as a Women's World Cup favorite by stopping Japan in quarterfinals
FEC moves toward potentially regulating AI deepfakes in campaign ads
Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
Nuggets host Lakers, Suns' Kevin Durant returns to Golden State on NBA opening night
Celebrity hair, makeup and nail stylists: How the Hollywood strikes have affected glam squads
Appeals court rules against longstanding drug user gun ban cited in Hunter Biden case