Georgia schools superintendent says African American Studies course exists

(The Center Square) — While at least one Georgia school system said it won't be able to proceed with its planned Advanced Placement African American Studies course this school year, the state's school superintendent said a course is already on the books.

"There has been an African American Studies course code in the catalog of state-funded courses since 2020," Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods said in a Wednesday statement . "Districts using this course code will receive state funding. 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).

"When I reviewed the AP course, I had concerns about the state endorsing the totality of the course," Woods added. "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."

A spokesperson for Woods told The Center Square that the superintendent's statement was intended to clarify questions the department has received about the African American Studies course from stakeholders across Georgia. It was not a specific reference to Gwinnett County Public Schools, where officials this week said they would not be able to proceed with an AP African American Studies course it piloted in the 2023-24 school year.

Gwinnett officials said the State Board of Education approved its request to pilot the course.

According to officials in the Atlanta suburb, state officials notified the Gwinnett system in January that a formal course request was required for districts interested in offering AP African American Studies in the 2024-25 school year. On July 10, Woods reviewed the revised framework and decided not to move forward with a recommendation for adoption, Gwinnett officials said.

"In GCPS, we are committed to offering a comprehensive and inclusive education for each and every student," GCPS Superintendent Calvin J. Watts said in a statement. "The 2023-24 AP African American Studies pilot was successful, and we are disappointed that students will neither have the opportunity to take, nor to receive credit for this innovative college-level course."

Gwinnett officials said not offering the AP African American Studies course as planned affects roughly 240 students at six schools who registered to take it.

"African American Studies play a pivotal role in fostering understanding, empathy and appreciation of our shared history and cultural heritage," state Rep. Carl Gilliard, D-Savannah, chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, said in a Wednesday statement.

"Removing this course deprives our students of a vital opportunity to learn and engage with important aspects of our society," Gilliard added. "The GLBC calls for a reconsideration of this decision and urges educational authorities to prioritize the inclusion and continuity of African American Studies in the curriculum in order to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive educational experience for all students in Georgia."