Dave Boucher

dboucher@tennessean.com

The state Board of Education heard Thursday from a small contingent of supporters and critics of the new Advanced Placement U.S. History course, but took no action regarding the discussion.

Jane Robbins, of the conservative advocacy group American Principles Project, was the lone detractor to discuss the new course work. Robbins echoed some of the national criticism of the course, saying the new framework is “leftist” and focuses too much on negative aspects of U.S. history as opposed to “heroes.”

Trevor Packer, a senior vice president for The College Board who helped develop the new course framework, said Robbins’ criticism was “absurd.” He said the college board changed the course framework to help give teachers more flexibility in what they teach, and he’s received overwhelmingly positive responses from teachers nationwide since enacting the changes.

Thomas Schwartz, a history professor at Vanderbilt University, also voiced support for the new course framework.

Robbins was joined at the board meeting by members of the Tennessee Eagle Forum, a conservative advocacy group in the state. They want the state board to adopt a resolution that expresses “official disapproval” with the new test, and to potentially boycott the AP course if the framework isn’t changed.

The board offered the hearing after several state Republican lawmakers called for a review of the course. Board Chairman B. Fielding Rolston said the hearing fulfilled the requirements of the legislative request and the board couldn’t take any action on a resolution it just received moments before the meeting.

None of the board members made any comment about the course.

Reach Dave Boucher at 615-259-8892.