ATLANTA — A coalition of lawmakers, civil rights leaders, clergy, educators and students Wednesday called on the state’s education czar to rescind his decision to drop an advanced placement African American studies class from the state’s curriculum for the upcoming school year.

“This decision is the latest attack in a long-running GOP assault on Georgia’s public education,” state Senate Minority Leader Gloria Butler, D-Stone Mountain, said at a news conference at the state Capitol, flanked by other legislators, teachers and students. “I urge the superintendent to reconsider his decision … and get to the table with these teachers and students, and make a different decision.” 

State School Superintendent Richard Woods’ decision not to add the class to the state’s list of course offerings or provide state funds for it comes a little over a week before Georgia students start school on Aug. 1.  

Gov. Brian Kemp weighed in late Wednesday afternoon after receiving “multiple questions from various stakeholders.” Kemp sent a letter to Woods questioning the reasoning behind his decision. 

“Though my office does not have any role in these recommendation decisions or approval of curricula, I, along with others within my administration, would like to learn more about what went into the decision not to recommend this course for approval,” Kemp’s letter said. 

Woods’ decision affects hundreds of students statewide who’ve signed up for the advanced placement class but now must scramble to get into another AP class or face the possibility of not meeting all of their AP requirements for college, according to those who spoke at Wednesday’s news conference.

Woods’ decision came to light Monday after teachers in Gwinnett County — the state’s largest school district — were informed via email from their district’s officials, igniting a firestorm of criticism from educators and lawmakers.

Gwinnett was among several school districts in Georgia that taught the class in a pilot program during the 2023-2024 school year.

Efforts to reach Woods on Wednesday were unsuccessful.

Singled out?

AP classes are developed by the college board to introduce high school students to college-level classes and get college credit before graduating high school. 

While Woods nixed the AP African American Studies class, the AP European History class was approved.  

“This course is the only AP course removed and we’re left wondering why,” Sen. Nikki Merritt, D-Grayson, said at Wednesday’s conference. “Explain to me why this course is being singled out and is no longer eligible for state funding.”

Georgia is home to the second largest population of African Americans in the nation, Merritt noted, adding that the state produced well-known Black leaders such as slain civil rights icon the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis, as well as U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, among others.

“Here we are in a state where we have significant Black leaders and we’re choosing to rip away Black history,” Merritt added.

Georgia approved a $1.4 billion increase in school funding, Merritt said, “ensuring that financial resources are available to support comprehensive education for all students.”

Speakers at Wednesday’s news conference repeatedly said the decision was part of a larger assault on students’ freedom to choose what courses they want to take. 

Removing the African American studies class is just the latest in a series of what critics say are attacks on how and what educators can teach.

Georgia joins other states in controversy

Georgia joins a growing list of states banning the teaching of race-based curriculum. Last year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis banned AP African American studies. Arkansas followed.

Since January 2021, 44 states have introduced bills or taken other steps to restrict teaching so-called “critical race theory” or how teachers can discuss racism and sexism, according to an Education Week analysis. Some 17 states are imposing bans and restrictions through legislation or other avenues. Georgia becomes the 18th state with this recent decision.

In the last few years, Georgia lawmakers have passed a number of controversial pieces of education-related legislation, including:

• Giving up to $6,500 a year to some Georgia families to pay for private school tuition or home-schooling expenses. Gov. Kemp signed the bill into law in April. Critics say the stipend devalues public education. 
• Banning classroom discussions related to certain so-called “divisive concepts.” The law instituted in 2022 addresses issues related to race but does not explicitly mention curriculum related to gender identity or sexuality. Republican lawmakers argue that the “divisive concepts” bill didn’t go as far as prohibiting the teaching of slavery or the civil rights movement in Georgia schools.

“It very clearly signals that politicians who want to interfere with our students receiving a full and honest education about the history of our country and our world continue to interfere in the professional decisions of educators,” Lisa Morgan, president of the Georgia Association of Educators, told State Affairs.

“They continue to believe that they should be able to force their values —which I would call misguided — on everyone,” Morgan added.

“Every child deserves the right to learn about their ancestors, to learn about their history, to learn about how their people and their culture have contributed to the fabric of America,” At-Large Atlanta Public School board member Alfred “Shivy” Brooks, told State Affairs. “And we will do what we can in Atlanta to ensure that that is always true.” Brooks teaches government, economics and personal finance at Charles Drew High School in Clayton County.

Rashad Brown, an African American Studies teacher at Maynard Jackson High School in Atlanta who spoke at Wednesday’s news conference, said he plans to continue teaching the advanced placement African American studies class with the blessing and financial backing of the Atlanta Public School system. Brown also is a national consultant on African American studies.

Meanwhile, young people who spoke at Wednesday’s news conference gave impassioned accounts of how recent decisions by state lawmakers and educators are disrupting and harming their ability to learn. 

“Superintendent Richard Woods is denying educational opportunities to students in Gwinnett County and across Georgia,” said Tyler Lee, a rising senior at Peachtree Ridge High School who was supposed to take the African American studies class this school year.

“Superintendent Woods, I would like to remind you that you retain your seat because of the voters in this state. If you fail to change your ways, we will change you out,” Lee added, drawing rousing applause.

Nate Whipple, a 17-year-old student at Lassiter High School, called Woods’ decision “extremely misguided.”

“This impedes on the ability of students to dive deeper into African American history and move beyond surface-level education,” he said. “My message to the superintendent, the state Board of Education, state legislators and schools across the state is as simple as this:  Take a look at who really wants a class like this. It’s not political operatives. It’s not Democrats. It’s not lobbyists. It’s students.” 

Have questions, comments or tips? Contact Tammy Joyner on X @lvjoyner or at [email protected].