African American AP course now offered to high schools across the U.S.

For the first time in academic history, high school students across the nation now have the option to take an African American Advanced Placement course.

For the first time in academic history, high school students across the nation now have the option to take an African American Advanced Placement course.

As part of the new pilot program introduced by the College Board, which developed the course curriculum with high school teachers at Howard University, 60 schools across the U.S. will offer the new AP class as part of their fall curriculum. Additional schools are expected to be added during the pilot’s second year. 

“AP African American Studies will introduce a new generation of students to the amazingly rich cultural, artistic, and political contributions of African Americans,” said Trevor Packer, senior vice president of AP and instruction at the College Board. “We hope it will broaden the invitation to Advanced Placement and inspire students with a fuller appreciation of the American story.”

The African American AP course is the College Board’s first course since 2014 and the 40th course it has developed. The program has the potential to impact thousands of high school students who can enroll in the course and receive college credit. 

One of the schools to offer the African American AP course this fall is Florida State University Schools in Tallahassee, taught by social studies instructor Marlon Williams-Clark. Clark, 35, told NBC News he first heard about the course in March, when he was appointed to teach it. He started teaching two African American AP courses on Aug. 8 to predominately Black juniors and seniors.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/african-american-ap-course-now-offered-high-schools-us-rcna45491

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