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Florida’s department of education, under the leadership of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, rejected an Advanced Placement course on African American studies. The decision is leading to a wave of backlash across the country — from other state lawmakers to labor unions and even a potential lawsuit.
“One Governor should not have the power to dictate the facts of U.S. history,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, said in letter to the College Board, which develops the AP courses that help high school students across the country earn college credit.
On Wednesday, civil rights lawyer Ben Crump announced that three Florida high school students are prepared to challenge the state’s decision in court.
Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, the nation’s largest labor union, was also present when Crump made the announcement.
“When we censor classes and whitewash lesson plans, we harm our students and do them a deep disservice,” Pringle tweeted. “I support the educators at Florida’s state capitol today to demand complete and honest education for all Florida students.”
Pringle, along with more than 28,000 others as of Thursday afternoon, signed a petition demanding the Florida State Board of Education approve the course.
“It’s clear that Fl. Gov. DeSantis has been using Black students as political pawns in his quest to build power and conservative outrage, and the Florida State Board of Education (SBE) has long enabled him,” the petition reads.
