In A Flash

Louisiana Legislature approves Black history courses for TOPS qualification

By: JC Canicosa - June 6, 2021 7:05 pm

LSU students table for their African and African American studies program. The program received a promotion to department status on Jan. 15. (Photo courtesy of Stephen Finley)

High school students will be allowed to take African-American history courses to complete their TOPS curriculum requirements if Gov. John Bel Edwards signs a bill that won unanimous support in the Louisiana House and Senate.

Currently, high school students looking to complete the social studies requirement for TOPS must take two of either: Western Civilization, European History, or AP European History; World Geography, AP Human Geography, or IB Geography; World History, AP World History, or World History IB; History of Religion; IB Economics, Economics, AP Macroeconomics, or AP Microeconomics.

Rep. Cedric Glover’s (D-Shreveport) HB 635 adds African American History to the list of courses students can take to complete the social studies requirement.

After the Senate approved the legislation Sunday, the bill moves to the governor’s desk.

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JC Canicosa

JC Canicosa is a former Louisiana Illuminator reporter. Prior to working with the Illuminator, Canicosa worked for Investigate-TV and The Loyola Maroon. Canicosa earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Loyola University New Orleans. At Loyola, he was the senior staff writer at The Maroon and the president of the school's chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Off the clock, Canicosa enjoys playing basketball, watching movies and dabbling in comedy writing.