In a recent development, the Little Rock School District in Arkansas has announced that it will continue to offer Advanced Placement African American studies, despite objections from Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders' administration. The decision comes after the State Department of Education raised concerns that the course's content might violate a new law banning “indoctrination” in schools.

This decision by the district highlights the widespread discomfort among frontline educators regarding the new crop of curriculum laws that aim to restrict discussions about racism, gender nonconformity, and sexuality. In Arkansas, a new law has been passed to ban teaching that could potentially indoctrinate students with ideologies such as critical race theory. This legislation has also weakened teachers' tenure protections, further escalating tensions between educators and the state over African American studies.

However, there are potential consequences for students taking the African American studies course. It may not carry state credit towards high school graduation, and students may not receive state assistance with test fees, which are typically $98 per A.P. exam. Many colleges require a minimum score of 3 out of 5 on these exams to grant credit. Despite this, the Little Rock School District has stated that it will ensure that students are not burdened by these fees.

Little Rock Central High School, where the course is being offered, has a student population of approximately 2,500, with half of the students being Black. The district has expressed that African American Studies will allow students to explore the complexities, contributions, and narratives that have shaped the African American experience throughout history, including the school's integral connection to the civil rights movement.

The decision to move forward with the course has garnered support from the Arkansas Education Association, the teachers' union. April Reisma, the union's president, commended the district for its bold choice and stated that they would continue to argue to the state that A.P. African American studies is a rigorous, fact-based class protected under the law and not an example of ideology or opinion.

The Arkansas Department of Education has not yet responded to the district's decision to proceed with the course. Earlier in the week, a spokeswoman for Governor Huckabee Sanders highlighted that the state already offers an African American history course and considered the A.P. class to be a pilot program. It is worth noting that Governor Huckabee Sanders is a graduate of Little Rock Central High School and has spoken proudly of its legacy.

Ivory Toldson, the education director of the NAACP, recently participated in a conference call with five members of the Little Rock Nine, the group of Black teenagers who integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Dr. Toldson stated that they expressed dismay with the state's opposition to A.P. African American studies and are planning a joint response. He emphasized that these individuals are living history and have personally experienced events that some people are trying to whitewash out of the curriculum.

The future of African American studies curriculum remains uncertain, as it has not been finalized, and it is unclear whether the course will be offered widely in conservative states that have implemented laws restricting the teaching of race. The A.P. course has faced debate since its official rollout in February, when it was revealed that the College Board, the nonprofit organization overseeing the program, had revised the course's content in response to objections from Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida.

The College Board faced criticism from Black studies scholars who saw the changes as censoring their discipline. In response, the College Board acknowledged its mistakes and announced that the course would undergo another round of revisions before a final version is released later this year. Currently, 700 schools are piloting the class this academic year, and 200 colleges have agreed to accept credit for the course.

The conflict between the College Board and conservative policymakers continues to escalate, with the Arkansas Department of Education warning schools not to offer Advanced Placement African American Studies. This mirrors a similar situation in Florida, where the state refused to approve the class, citing concerns that it violated state law. The somewhat vague language of these laws, including the one in Arkansas, leaves room for interpretation and further complicates the situation.

The rocky start for African American studies demonstrates the challenges faced by the College Board as it navigates the demands of higher education institutions and the politicization of curriculum in public education. The conflict in Arkansas serves as a prime example of these complexities, as the College Board tries to ensure that students receive a comprehensive introduction to African American studies while also satisfying content standards set by universities.