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2014 Jefferson County Public Schools protests

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The 2014 Jefferson County Public Schools protests were a series of demonstrations against the new AP United States History (APUSH) curriculum in Jefferson County in the U.S. state of Colorado. Protests began on Friday, September 19, 2014, at Standley Lake and Conifer high schools when classes were cancelled at both schools because a high number of teachers called in absent to work.[1] On September 22, the protests spread to Evergreen when students left class on marched on the Jefferson County Schools Education Center.[2] On September 23, the protests spread to Pomona, Arvada, and Ralston Valley high schools.[3] Two days later, the protest grew to about 1,000 when Columbine and Dakota Ridge students joined together on a pedestrian bridge over South Wadsworth Boulevard.[4]

The protests were rooted in the election of a new Jefferson County Public Schools board in November 2013. The board's conservative majority of three, headed by chairman Ken Witt, appointed Dan McMinimee as superintendent and allotted funds to save two failing charter schools.[5] Many students, parents, and teachers also protested the APUSH curriculum review proposed by the board, which wrote, "Materials should promote citizenship, patriotism, essentials and benefits of the free enterprise system, respect for authority and respect for individual rights. Materials should not encourage or condone civil disorder, social strife or disregard of the law."[6][7]

While demonstrating, students skipped lunch and free time; they were honked at by drivers outside Lakewood.[4] The National Coalition Against Censorship, the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, and the National Council for the Social Studies sent letters to the Jefferson County Board of Education members stating their opposition to the proposal. On September 25, the school's superintendent's children were threatened by the demonstrators; the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office investigated.[8]

Some in the conservative media thought the teachers were encouraging their pupils to skip class and protest, but according to one of the leaders of the Columbine High School protests, as well as other students and teachers, that is untrue. Both Fox News commentator Megyn Kelly and Tea Party officials pejoratively referred to the students as "pawns", prompting backlash from the Jefferson County community.[9][10] On October 2, 2014, The Washington Post interviewed Kyle Ferris, who said the community was disappointed with the school board and felt the need to exercise their rights as American citizens.[11] The same day, the committee approved a new proposal, which prompted over 100 people to attend a rally at Wadsworth Boulevard.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Anica Padilla; Kim Nguyen (September 19, 2014). "Standley Lake High School and Conifer High School closed due to high number of teacher absences". KMGH-TV. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  2. ^ Jesse Paul (September 22, 2014). "Jeffco students protest proposed "censorship" of history curriculum". The Denver Post. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  3. ^ Cathy Hernandez (September 23, 2014). "More student protests take place at JeffCo high schools". KDVR. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Jesse Paul; John Aguilar (September 26, 2014). "Massive protest near Columbine High marks fourth day of walkouts". The Denver Post. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  5. ^ Nicky Woolf (September 26, 2014). "US 'little rebels' protest against changes to history curriculum". The Guardian. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  6. ^ Eric Gorski (September 25, 2014). "Jeffco school board curriculum committee idea latest divisive issue". The Denver Post. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  7. ^ "Hundreds of Colorado students stage protest over history curriculum". The Guardian. Associated Press. September 24, 2014. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  8. ^ Jesse Paul (September 25, 2014). "Jeffco authorities investigating threats to school board members' kids". The Denver Post. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  9. ^ Jason Salzman (October 29, 2015). "Conservative Jeffco School Board Member Insults Students, Teachers". HuffPost. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  10. ^ "Teachers Union Uses Students, Media as Pawns in Giant Colorado Battle Over History 'Censorship'". Tea Party. September 25, 2014. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  11. ^ Strauss, V. "Colorado student protest leader: 'I'm learning how people need to act to make a democracy function'". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  12. ^ Patrick Fort (October 3, 2014). "Protesters say Jefferson County School Board disrespected community". CPR. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
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