I find myself in a rather awkward position in regard to the recent decision in Florida to ban the College Board’s AP African American Studies course, which is in pilot stage in a few classrooms around the country.
I think the concerns Kevin expresses about the structure of all AP courses raises a broader concern about the general teaching of American history survey courses whether at the secondary or post-secondary level. How do you adequately cover everything that should be covered in a semester (or a trimester or 6 weeks). Most of us, I think, make value judgements about what we have expertise in and try to adequately address those topics and hope that we don't forget to at least mention all the other equally important topics that we don't have expertise in.
I think this is at the core of broader concerns frequently expressed here about the understanding, or lack of understanding, of American history evidenced by much of the population. I'm not sure what to do about it but I am sure Florida has not found the answer
Your phrase, "the company," is perfect. As teachers, we need to remember that it is a company, not some benevolent organization that brings enlightenment through curriculum. To think they will not be political is absurd. You are absolutely right about APUSH. In my high school I started a course, "The American Civil War," that lasts a semester. There was doubt that kids would sign up with one colleague saying, "Well, I hope you can fill a class." We had 160 sign up in the first week and that was three years ago. My school only allows me to teach three classes of it a year, which is 96 students, because I need to teach other core history subjects, but we always have a huge waiting list. And, I bring in a great deal of African-American history. I spend more than a week on Frederick Douglass and his writings! Thank you for all your posts because it makes me a better teacher.
Your comment points to one of my major issues with the AP course. The curriculum prevents many teachers from creating a much better advanced history course for their students. Glad to hear that you are able to offer a Civil War course and I am not in the least surprised by the level of interest.
I think the concerns Kevin expresses about the structure of all AP courses raises a broader concern about the general teaching of American history survey courses whether at the secondary or post-secondary level. How do you adequately cover everything that should be covered in a semester (or a trimester or 6 weeks). Most of us, I think, make value judgements about what we have expertise in and try to adequately address those topics and hope that we don't forget to at least mention all the other equally important topics that we don't have expertise in.
I think this is at the core of broader concerns frequently expressed here about the understanding, or lack of understanding, of American history evidenced by much of the population. I'm not sure what to do about it but I am sure Florida has not found the answer
I think Kevin's concerns are also about content not just structure. I should have included that in my original comments
Your phrase, "the company," is perfect. As teachers, we need to remember that it is a company, not some benevolent organization that brings enlightenment through curriculum. To think they will not be political is absurd. You are absolutely right about APUSH. In my high school I started a course, "The American Civil War," that lasts a semester. There was doubt that kids would sign up with one colleague saying, "Well, I hope you can fill a class." We had 160 sign up in the first week and that was three years ago. My school only allows me to teach three classes of it a year, which is 96 students, because I need to teach other core history subjects, but we always have a huge waiting list. And, I bring in a great deal of African-American history. I spend more than a week on Frederick Douglass and his writings! Thank you for all your posts because it makes me a better teacher.
Your comment points to one of my major issues with the AP course. The curriculum prevents many teachers from creating a much better advanced history course for their students. Glad to hear that you are able to offer a Civil War course and I am not in the least surprised by the level of interest.