Gov. Phil Murphy to expand Advanced Placement African American Studies into New Jersey curriculum

Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy has stated that his administration will expand the Advanced Placement African American Studies courses next year. This expansion started with one school and has now grown to reach 26 schools in New Jersey after Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis blocked the course from being taught in that state’s public schools.

Murphy’s decision was made almost a month after the administration of DeSantis, a potential presidential candidate, declared—without citing any evidence—that the course violates state law and isn’t historically accurate.

Murphy cited Florida’s decision as he prepared to release course expansion Tuesday during a visit to a Newark high school, saying that DeSantis is prioritizing “political culture wars” over a child’s education.

“New Jersey will proudly teach our kids that Black History is American History,” Murphy said in a statement. “While the DeSantis Administration stated that AP African American Studies ‘significantly lacks educational value,’ New Jersey will stand on the side of teaching our full history.”

To date, 60 schools nationwide are adding the Advanced Placement African American to their curricula, which is expected expand to hundreds the following year.