Wednesday marked the third day of walkouts by hundreds of students in Denver's Jefferson County, protesting against the school board's proposal to promote patriotism and discourage civil disorder in the history curriculum.
Students from six high schools in suburban Denver staged walkouts Tuesday, to protest what they believe is "censorship" of history by the conservative-led Jefferson County School Board.
#standupforstudents @MauraSheahan @mackenzieblair3 @Suznnah_Liselli @Brown_Courtney1 @SMckayli
The board's proposal calls for teaching materials promoting patriotism and citizenship, respect for authority, and the free-market system, while discouraging material that would encourage "civil disorder, social strife or disregard of law."
The proposal also called for a committee to review course plans, starting with Advanced Placement history.
Nearly 20 Conifer HS students are lining U.S. 285 to protest #jeffcoschoolbd
Student demonstrations began on Friday, after teachers staged a "sick out" to demand better pay and protest against the proposed changes in the curriculum, forcing two schools to be shut down.
Monday also saw hundreds of students, many from Evergreen High School, walk out of their classrooms and march to the school district's headquarters.
Standley Lake HS students protest this morning to show support for their teachers. #9News
Tensions have escalated in Colorado's second-largest school district since three conservative candidates were elected to the school board in November 2013, forming a majority.
"There are things we may not be proud of as Americans,” Julie Williams, one of the conservative members, told Chalkbeat Colorado. "But we shouldn’t be encouraging our kids to think that America is a bad place."
#FridayInJeffco #GatorStrong #JeffcoStandUp
The board's proposal echoes concerns of conservatives in the U.S. who have opposed the current history curriculum for adopting, what they believe, is a liberal and negative view of American history.
The new version of the course spends more time on early and recent American history and places greater focus on the role of women and minorities. Many conservative critics have complained that the changes are revisionist and present a negative view of the country. The Colorado State Board of Education has debated the topic but has taken no action.
Student protests, which continued Wednesday, have been largely mobilized through social media.
Over 70 students here this evening! #JeffcoStandUp #FridayInJeffco
People are tweeting photos and updates on the protest using the hashtag #JeffcoStandup.
One of my favorite shirts from Pomona's protest. These are our model citizens & democracy in action. #JeffcoStandUp
Students are expected to stage walkouts through the week.
Another pic of #JeffcoStandUp protests:
People are also using the hashtag #jeffcoschoolboardhistory to tweet hilarious interpretations of historical events mocking the school board's proposal.
Declaration of Independence refers to a song by Beyonce #jeffcoschoolboardhistory
America began when Washington defeated the Dinosaurs with Atomic Bombs. Then built a moon prison for them. #JeffCoSchoolBoardHistory
This woman is really, really happy. #VacuumingInHeelsRocks #JeffCoSchoolBoardHistory #copolitics
Pearl Harbor was attacked by Iraqis who snuck across the Mexican border. #JeffCoSchoolBoardHistory #copolitics
If only Rosa Parks followed orders & sat where she was supposed to, Bengazi never would have happened #JeffCoSchoolBoardHistory #copolitics
More than 15,000 people have signed a petition to prevent the school board from "outlawing historical events."
The Superintendent of the school district, Dan McMinimee, met with students on Monday and urged them to stay in classes.
He said he was open to continue discussions on the issue but added that the school board had a right to ask for a review of the curriculum.
