North Central High School has started to offer a new AP course for students to take. The course is AP African American Studies, and this year would be the first year the course was being offered at NC.
The course offered, and created through the college board, is one of the newest AP classes that many schools are just now starting to integrate into their education systems. Many colleges however, do not consider the AP African American studies course as a “real” AP class.
Many high schools have banned or restricted the course from being offered in their schools. In some states, taking the course will not offer college credits that will transfer over. Many students in the course say that this act is unjust and unfair.
“I think that it’s unacceptable, and I think this class is super academic. It is super historical, and it should be counted with every other AP class,” senior Anna St. Andre said.
Additionally, much discourse started when the topic of what kind of students should take the course came up among students.
Many students believed that the AP African American class was mainly catered for African American students to take. However, others believe that the course is a great class to take for all kinds of students of all kinds of backgrounds.
Many teachers and administrators stress that the course is open to any and everyone. Like any other AP history course, this class is to help students gain a deeper understanding of history.
“African American studies is integral to American history, both historically speaking, culturally speaking. And so I think it is important for students to be able to look at American history through a different lens. No matter what race or ethnicity they are,” course instructor, Darrien Grays said.
As the course continues to be offered over the years, it is expected to become a major AP class for students to take everywhere, even though the course isn’t recognized rightfully as of right now.
