Grant FL high schools the choice to teach AP African American Studies
Grant FL high schools the choice to teach AP African American Studies
The Issue
In January 2023, the governor of Florida blocked a new Advanced Placement course on African American studies from being taught in Florida high schools. According to the Florida Department of Education, during the 2021-2022 school year, Black students made up 21.3% of all students enrolled (that would be around 603,467 students).
I was raised in Florida and received all of my education from Florida schools. I can remember dreading history class every year because there would inevitably be a discussion about slavery. We (black students) were always given the history from the perspective of people who, not only did not look like us, put us in the situation we were learning about. Sometimes it was hard to see the true beauty of my culture and how powerful it is to say I AM African American. I do not think I was fully able to come to that realization until I was in college. That is not how it should be.
Currently, I am a high school teacher in Florida at a Title I school. I am the sponsor for our school’s Black Student Union. When I think of this course block, I immediately think about my students and how much they would enjoy having a class like this offered. Blocking a course like this from being offered is essentially limiting students’ (and not just black students) education. By having the option to have a course like this: students could gain more cultural awareness, become advocates for themselves and those who do not have a voice, and have the confidence to become those agents of change.
As stated in The New York Times, this class was blocked because “as presented, the content of this course [was] inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value”. However, there has not been any evidence presented that shows that these claims are valid. The course is still in the pilot phase. This course has the right to finish the research that has been started just like any other AP course.
I invite those who believe that AP African American Studies should be a course offered in Florida high schools to sign this petition.
1,709
The Issue
In January 2023, the governor of Florida blocked a new Advanced Placement course on African American studies from being taught in Florida high schools. According to the Florida Department of Education, during the 2021-2022 school year, Black students made up 21.3% of all students enrolled (that would be around 603,467 students).
I was raised in Florida and received all of my education from Florida schools. I can remember dreading history class every year because there would inevitably be a discussion about slavery. We (black students) were always given the history from the perspective of people who, not only did not look like us, put us in the situation we were learning about. Sometimes it was hard to see the true beauty of my culture and how powerful it is to say I AM African American. I do not think I was fully able to come to that realization until I was in college. That is not how it should be.
Currently, I am a high school teacher in Florida at a Title I school. I am the sponsor for our school’s Black Student Union. When I think of this course block, I immediately think about my students and how much they would enjoy having a class like this offered. Blocking a course like this from being offered is essentially limiting students’ (and not just black students) education. By having the option to have a course like this: students could gain more cultural awareness, become advocates for themselves and those who do not have a voice, and have the confidence to become those agents of change.
As stated in The New York Times, this class was blocked because “as presented, the content of this course [was] inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value”. However, there has not been any evidence presented that shows that these claims are valid. The course is still in the pilot phase. This course has the right to finish the research that has been started just like any other AP course.
I invite those who believe that AP African American Studies should be a course offered in Florida high schools to sign this petition.
1,709
Petition created on January 20, 2023