Bill Would Allow African American History Course to Replace Certain World History Requirements for Graduation

Legislation advancing in the General Assembly would allow Virginia high school students to substitute African American History or Advanced Placement African American Studies for certain required world history courses in order to meet graduation requirements.

The Virginia Civil Rights Memorial is a monument in Richmond, Virginia, commemorating protests that helped bring about school desegregation in the state.

House Bill 182, introduced by Del. David A. Reid, D-Loudoun, directs the Virginia Board of Education to permit students to substitute either the African American History course or the AP African American Studies course for World History I or World Geography. The substitution would apply toward satisfying history and social studies credit requirements, provided the course is available to the student.

Under the bill, as amended in the Senate, students who make the substitution would not be required to earn a verified credit in World History I or World Geography to receive a standard or advanced studies diploma. Instead, students would be required to complete and pass a local alternative assessment or an equivalent Board-approved assessment to meet graduation requirements.

The legislation amends § 22.1-253.13:4 of the Code of Virginia, which governs student achievement and graduation standards. If enacted, the Board of Education would be required to update its regulations accordingly.

Current graduation requirements established by the Board include mandatory coursework in United States and Virginia history, along with other history and social studies credits. The proposed measure would expand flexibility within those credit requirements.

Supporters of the bill argue that allowing the substitution provides students with additional academic pathways while recognizing the educational value of African American history courses. They say the change aligns with broader efforts to modernize graduation requirements and to offer multiple avenues to meet academic standards.

The bill does not mandate that school divisions offer the courses, but applies only where African American History or AP African American Studies is available.

In addition to the substitution provision, the legislation clarifies that students choosing this option would not be required to obtain a verified Standards of Learning (SOL) credit in the replaced world history course in order to graduate.

The measure is part of a broader framework within Virginia’s Standards of Accreditation that allows the Board to provide flexibility in graduation pathways, including alternative assessments, industry certifications, and credit substitutions in other subject areas.

House Bill 182 now awaits further action as the General Assembly continues consideration of education-related legislation.