African History Is Made a High School Requirement

PHILADELPHIA — High school students here must take a course in African and African American history as a requirement for graduation starting with the next freshman class, officials said Thursday.

Leaders of the school district, where two-thirds of students are black, hope the course will not only keep those students interested in their academic work but give others a more accurate view of history.

"We have the opportunity ... to do something under our watch that is really going to do right by our students -- to say, 'We've come from some pretty great places,' " said Assistant Supt. Cecilia Cannon.

The course, already offered as an elective, covers topics including classical African civilizations, civil rights and black nationalism.