GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) – The South Carolina Department of Education said AP African American studies will not be offered in the state’s schools anymore.
The decision comes after districts, like Greenville County Schools, wrapped up a two-year pilot program for the AP course.
The class was developed by College Board, a nonprofit that creates AP (Advanced Placement) courses taught across the country. According to a College Board overview, the course is a study of the diversity of black communities in the United States
They [students] are getting hands-on college experience while still in high school so the transition from high school to college is not that hard for them,” said Dr. Jerret Fite, a Clinton College professor.
In a statement sent out to school districts, state superintendent Ellen Weaver said there has been significant controversy surrounding the course.
Many teachers and students in the Greenville County school district have vocalized their frustration at the removal of the course, saying this course on the AP level is a necessity.
Local professors who specialize in African American studies said they’re worried about this decision’s impact on students preparing for college.
“Students are aware of the implication of decisions like this,” said Dr. Jim Neighbors, a Wofford College professor. “They understand that when a state makes a decision like this, it’s establishing a priority, a kind of hierarchy of what’s important. So when they see that African American studies are not part of the AP curriculum then they think it’s just not important.
An education transparency bill, that would end funding for classes like AP African American studies, was discussed Wednesday in Columbia.
The bill did not mention controversy, but rather cites a funding deficit as the issue with the course.
Professors in the area vocalized the importance of prioritizing these kinds of classes.
“It seems to me they have a solution without a problem,” said Dr. Fite. “The issue you have with removing the AP-level courses and giving those communities an opportunity is number one, you rob this intellectual student that at a high school level, can reach potential to help them with their future. If they are on their way or on track to go to college, these courses on a high school level gives them college credit so that it expedites their education in college. If they come from an impoverished family it cuts the time down that they’re in school which also cuts the potential debt down.”
The Department of Education said districts have the option to offer the course content as a locally-approved honors course.
The Greenville County school district sent us this statement:
“The District received official notification yesterday, June 4, 2024, from the South Carolina Department of Education that the African American Studies AP course will not be available for the 2024-25 school year. Some high schools within Greenville County had this course scheduled for the spring of 2025, which provides the District time to consider the appropriate path moving forward.”
