DFER Statement on AP African American History Curriculum

Press Releases

February 2, 2023

NEW YORK (N.Y.) (Feb. 2, 2023) — Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) Interim CEO Shakira Petit issued the following statement in response to the final version of the Advanced Placement African American History Curriculum released by the College Board:

“There is no place for politics in our classrooms. All of our students deserve an honest and complete retelling of our nation’s historyone that will set them up to be informed citizens and enlightened thinkers.

Given this political climate, the changes made to the AP African American History coursea college-level, elective courseto purge important Black political movements and trans, queer, and non-binary/non-conforming Black identities raise deep concerns related to who and what is elevated. It is our duty to ask questions, urge transparency, and advocate for high-quality AP curricula that honor the fulness of our nation’s past and present, so that students may be best prepared for their futures.”

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