Arkansas students to get credit for AP African American studies
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios
At least eight Arkansas schools in five districts will offer Advanced Placement African American studies this school year, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports.
Why it matters: In the past, conservative lawmakers around the country have expressed outrage over the curriculum, claiming it teaches critical race theory, a college-level framework that's often conflated with general teachings on systemic racism.
- Last school year, it wasn't clear if the course complied with Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' executive order banning critical race theory and "indoctrination" in schools, but it's now been placed back onto the state's code-management system.
State of play: The 2023-24 school year was the course's second pilot year in the U.S. The College Board, which developed the curriculum, made revisions in the wake of critiques and released its revised framework in December. It added a number of new sources and sections, while removing or merging others, the Democrat-Gazette reports.
- Some Arkansas schools offered the course last year, but students didn't get credit since it was still being reviewed by the state Department of Education.
Context: AP African American studies examines topics "from early African kingdoms to the ongoing challenges and achievements of the contemporary moment," a course description reads.
Between the lines: Schools in central and northeast Arkansas offering the class include: Little Rock Central High School; North Little Rock High School; North Little Rock Center of Excellence; The Academies at Jonesboro High School; Jacksonville High School and eStem High School; Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School; and Hall-West High School, per the Democrat-Gazette.
The bottom line: Since the course has been added back to the code-management system, students will be able to earn credits toward graduation.
Go deeper: Little Rock Nine members denounce Arkansas' decision on AP African American Studies