CORRECTION: YouthTruth surveyed more than 28,000 high school seniors from the class of 2022 and the class of 2019 in 19 states, including New York. The incorrect line originally read: 'YouthTruth surveyed more than 680,000 middle and high-school students of all races in 19 states, including New York.' (12:00 p.m. MDT, Feb. 6, 2023)

While controversy rages on about the College Board's Advanced Placement African American Studies course, Black students in a new survey say they want a more inclusive curriculum.

In the survey by YouthTruth, Black students said they feel learning about Black American or African history can be a guiding factor for them to pursue higher education.

But many history classes don't cover much about Black America - and lawmakers in multiple states aim to keep it that way, enacting laws that limit discussion of race and gender studies.

Treva Patton, partnership lead at YouthTruth, said there are steps school districts can take to implement a more inclusive curriculum.

"I think it starts by just having the conversation, right? Looking and examining the existing curriculum," said Patton. "Students have even noticed that there's a separation, and asked for additional funding for extra classes. One student said, 'I wish the school had more funding for extra class choices.'"

She added that districts need to not only examine their current courses, but ask students for input, and then work with experts in the field to develop a stronger curriculum.

Patton said she feels the backlash that some Black history courses are facing is a product of not having more student, family and community input.

YouthTruth surveyed more than 28,000 high school seniors from the class of 2022 and the class of 2019 in 19 states, including New York.

The College Board offers several courses on different cultures and histories, and only one on African American history so far. Much of the backlash was prompted by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has banned it from being offered in schools there.

Patton said the survey confirms that students are concerned about the trend.

"Students are recognizing that they're not being represented in the classroom," said Patton. "One student said, 'We also don't talk about racism and how it's affecting us as students. I want to learn about things that affect me, and my family and friends - mainly about Black culture and history.'"

The survey also found students of color expect their schools to enact and champion anti-racist policies. And the number of young people who said they feel the adults in their school "treat students with respect" jumped from 57% before the pandemic, to 70% in 2021.

Teachers' unions say they're at an impasse in bargaining with two Oregon school districts. After four intense mediation sessions, Albany teachers walked out of class for the first time in nearly 40 years, primarily over workload and class size limits. Similar concerns are being raised in Beaverton - where, after nine months of negotiations, the teachers union and district are headed to mediation. Beaverton teachers rallied with hundreds of supporters outside a school board meeting, while Albany teachers formed picket lines across the district.

Max Nazarian, Albany union vice president, said spirits are high.

"It was almost constant - cars honking, people waving - our community is behind us. They know who the people are that come in every day caring for their kids, and it's not those dozen people in the central office," he said.

Albany Superintendent Andy Gardner said the district has responded to all the union's requests, including offering a 15% raise over the next three years. He added it's more important to focus on behavior rather than class size, and that the district has proposed an improved process to handle larger classes.

Nazarian said hundreds of teachers have described being unable to give students the support they need, including those with state-mandated education plans, and that teachers feel powerless.

"It's still the end game is the same - that teachers don't really have a say," he continued.

In Beaverton, the state's third-largest district, teachers have collected nearly 5,000 signatures in support of changes similar to Albany: stronger safety measures, better pay and smaller class sizes.

Lindsay Ray, Beaverton Education Association president, said educators across the state are continually asked to do more with less, and added that the solidarity between districts is empowering.

"It's heartening to have other folks who are working for those same things kind of all over the state, because I think that leads to a greater understanding from our communities about what we're doing and what we're working for," Ray said.

The Beaverton School District said the union's proposal would result in a $161 million deficit, while the district's offer would mean a $29 million deficit.


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Gov. Jared Polis has designated seven Colorado colleges and universities as Career Connected Campuses for their work getting more students from all parts of the state and backgrounds ready for high-demand, good-paying jobs driving the state's economy.

Gillian McKnight-Tutein, senior educational equity officer for the Colorado Department of Higher Education, said the schools have prioritized practical skills for students.

"They are committed to the professional development and career readiness, while those students are in the classroom," McKnight-Tutein explained.

In Colorado, 75% of all jobs, and 94% of top jobs paying enough to sustain a family, require some form of education beyond high school. But just 50% of high school grads are pursuing postsecondary education. The schools receiving the first-ever designation are Colorado College, Colorado School of Mines, the online Colorado State University Global, Pueblo Community College, Regis University, Colorado University-Denver, and the University of Denver.

The state has been working to remove cost as a barrier for students and many certificate and degree programs are zero-tuition. McKnight-Tutein pointed out more schools are helping students who cannot afford to take time off work by helping them get jobs that also count toward academic requirements.

"There are scholarships. The costs are defrayed, but for the apprenticeship situation, those jobs actually pay," McKnight-Tutein noted. "They're actually making money before graduation."

The new designation reinforces the agency's Social Determinants of Student Success initiative which, as McKnight-Tutein added, works to ensure that students' basic needs such as food, shelter and health care are met, so students can stay in school.

"Because we know that it's not just about them getting there," McKnight-Tutein stressed. "It's about them being able to sustain their lives. Financially, they have families that they need to take care of sometimes. So we want to make sure that all those supports are around them."


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As winter break approaches, Alabama's Summer Adventures in Learning program is encouraging parents to think ahead to summer, particularly as quality summer learning options continue to shrink across the nation.

SAIL emphasized access to strong summer programs can have a meaningful effect on students, especially in preventing learning setbacks.

Suzy Harris, program manager for Summer Adventures in Learning, said early planning could help families secure a spot in programs designed to support students' academic and social growth over the summer.

"Under-resourced youths in particular are affected by summer learning loss at a higher degree," Harris explained. "Because they don't have the access to going on trips or going to minicamp at a museum, or going to the library regularly."

In Alabama, SAIL programs provided reading and math instruction to more than 2,300 students this past summer, combining academics with recreational activities to keep students engaged. For many families, the programs also addressed gaps in summer resources when it comes to meals and access to other educational opportunities.

Harris noted the program benefits teachers too, giving them the freedom to be creative and adapt lessons to meet students' specific needs. The flexibility creates a more engaging and effective learning environment over the summer.

"Teachers have the opportunity to experiment with how they're teaching and with new lesson plans," Harris pointed out. "They don't have the burden of all the extra paperwork and they can have fun in how they're doing lessons."

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly half of public schools offer summer school programs, primarily aimed at helping students with remedial learning or credit recovery. However, fewer schools, around 20 %, provide broader summer recreation programs, which include activities such as sports, games and youth development.

Among schools providing summer classes, 23% report staffing shortages, limiting their ability to accommodate all interested or at-risk students.


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