Kemp questions state schools chief on decision not to offer AP African American studies

ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp is questioning State School Superintendent Richard Woods' decision not to recommend adding an Advanced Placement African American studies course to the state’s curriculum offerings during the upcoming school year.

In a letter to Woods dated Wednesday, Kemp posed 10 questions asking the schools chief to explain why he made that recommendation. Specifically, the governor wanted to know how much it cost the state to pilot the course this year, why Woods opted not to move forward with the course when it passed an initial review made before the pilot, and how many other pilot courses have not been recommended for continuation in the last decade.

"The wellbeing of Georgia's children and their educational opportunities is one of my top priorities," Kemp wrote. "As a long-time believer that families should ultimately make the decisions which best meet their child's academic needs and futures, I would appreciate your attention to the above questions and answers you and your staff can provide in a timely manner."

Woods' recommendation this week not to move ahead with the AP African American studies course touched off a firestorm of protests from Georgia educators and legislative Democrats. The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus released a statement Wednesday calling the decision a “detrimental step backwards” in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in education.

Woods also put out a statement Wednesday defending his recommendation. Essentially striking a blow for local control, Woods wrote that local school districts are free to offer African American studies using an existing course code if they choose to do so. Those districts that opt to offer the course will receive state funding, he wrote.

In his letter, Kemp also asked Woods which specific parts of the AP African American studies curriculum prompted his decision not to recommend state Board of Education approval of the course, how many students took the pilot and how many school districts offered it.