Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies (also known as APAAS, APAFAM, AP African, or AP Afro) is a college-level course and examination offered to high school students in the United States through the College Board's Advanced Placement program. The course is dedicated solely to learning about and researching the African diaspora and is designed to elevate African-American history and education.[1][2]
Starting in the 2023–2024 school year, the pilot course expanded to approximately 800 schools. The course launched worldwide beginning in August 2024.[citation needed]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Kelleywas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ The pilot course began in the 2022–2023 school year in 64 selected schools across the United States, based on a draft curriculum. In early 2023, the College Board released the official curriculum, which removed Black Lives Matter, slavery reparations, Black feminism, queer theory and other subjects that had been included in the draft curriculum. These changes reflected feedback contained in conservative media such as the National Review (https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/neo-marxing-the-college-board-with-ap-african-american-studies/) and in correspondence from the Florida Department of Education claiming that "the content of this course is inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value," (https://www.miamiherald.com/latest-news/article271362042.ece/BINARY/AP%20Course%20Letter.pdf), in addition to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's widely-publicized announcement that he would ban teaching of the course in the state, which was roundly criticized by practitioners (https://medium.com/@afamprofshighered/open-letter-in-defense-of-ap-african-american-studies-e61768fb8f9c).