Due to a letter sent by the Florida Department of Education to the College Board, the organization that develops advanced placement courses, high schoolers in Florida no longer have the option to take AP African American Studies. According to the letter sent on January 12th, “The content of this course is inexplicably contrary to Florida law, and significantly lacks educational value.” As part of Florida’s Stop W.O.K.E. law, classrooms are restricted from discussing critical race theory, an academic field that analyzes the systemic nature of racism. Critical race theory is among one of many topics in violation of Florida’s laws. Recently, Arkansas has joined in on banning this course.

This ban has not only faced criticism from education experts, but the White House also commented and called it “incomprehensible”. While this decision has spread much controversy over teaching African American history, Carmel High School is one of four schools in central Indiana offering this course. As the director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment for Carmel Clay Schools, Anna Arroyo noted how “We already were running a course that was non-AP on African Studies and African American studies. We already knew there was a group of students who would be interested in taking that course.” 

Besides Carmel High School, this course is also offered at Fishers High School, Hamilton Southeastern High School, and Lawrence North High School. At Westfield Washington Schools, there has also been considerable interest in this course.