ATLANTA — Georgia's State Schools Superintendent Richard Woods is apologizing for what he calls a failure to communicate. It follows his decision to no longer fund the Advanced Placement African-American Studies course in Georgia.
The conflict bubbled up about a week ago, and now, a week later, Woods released a statement arguing parts of the course violate Georgia's divisive concepts law passed in 2022. Verdaillia Turner, president of the Georgia Federation of Teachers, said instructors set to give the course this year were confused.
"We're not trying to be divisive," Turner said. "We are trying to make sure the truth and nothing but the truth is taught. There are teachers that prepare to be AP instructors. They get paid a little extra, study a whole lot harder. They do a whole lot of hard work, so this is a disservice to them and a disservice to the community at large.”
Woods said school districts can still teach the AP material and get state money by listing the class as an introductory course.
Some Metro Atlanta school districts are split on teaching the AP course since students wouldn't get AP credit to count for the HOPE Scholarship unless the state approved the course. Currently, Atlanta Public Schools, DeKalb and Cobb County School Districts are among the school districts saying they would offer the course in some high schools this year. Meantime, Gwinnett County Public Schools decided not to offer the AP class.
In a statement, Woods admitted to a communication error, but he stood by his decision. He stated approving the AP course would violate his oath of office and the law, in part because of the course's section on intersectionality. Woods said he would get legal advice and act from there.
Turner said the children being taught an inclusive part of America's history should have a chance to learn about history that applies to their lives just as much as anyone else.
"We also have to ask what happens to Black and Brown children, Latino children, Jewish children, and their history and heritage is not being respected in this country," Turner said. "Everyone built this country."
Governor Brian Kemp recently sent Woods a letter asking why the State School Superintendent would decide to block state funding for the course.
A coalition backed by Democratic Georgia state lawmakers plans to take their concerns to the Georgia Attorney General and write up a bill that addresses the concerns around the course to secure state backing and funding.
