2014 Jefferson County Public Schools protests

School curriculum protest in Colorado, United States July 2021 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.http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/standley-lake-high-school-closed-for-students-friday-because-of-high-number-of-teacher-absences Anica Padilla Kim Nguyen Standley Lake High School and Conifer High School closed due to high number of teacher absences KMGH-TV September 19, 2014 December 19, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171222105317/https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/standley-lake-high-school-closed-for-students-friday-because-of-high-number-of-teacher-absences December 22, 2017 dead On September 22, the protests spread to Evergreen when students left class on marched on the Jefferson County Schools Education Center.http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_26582843/jeffco-students-skip-classes-protest-censorship-history-curriculum Jeffco students protest proposed "censorship" of history curriculum The Denver Post Jesse Paul September 22, 2014 December 19, 2017 On September 23, the protests spread to Pomona, Arvada, and Ralston Valley high schools.http://kdvr.com/2014/09/23/more-student-protests-planned-at-jeffco-high-schools/ Cathy Hernandez KDVR More student protests take place at JeffCo high schools September 23, 2014 December 19, 2017 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.http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_26603498/jeffco-students-plan-walk-out-classes-fourth-day Jesse Paul John Aguilar Massive protest near Columbine High marks fourth day of walkouts The Denver Post September 26, 2014 December 19, 2017 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.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/26/-sp-colorado-ap-history-curriculum-protest-patriotism-schools-students Nicky Woolf US 'little rebels' protest against changes to history curriculum The Guardian September 26, 2014 December 19, 2017 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."http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_26601519/jeffco-school-board-curriculum-committee-idea-latest-divisive?source=pkg Eric Gorski Jeffco school board curriculum committee idea latest divisive issue The Denver Post September 25, 2014 December 19, 2017https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/24/denver-students-walkout-protest-history-school-board Hundreds of Colorado students stage protest over history curriculum Associated Press The Guardian September 24, 2014 December 19, 2017 While demonstrating, students skipped lunch and free time; they were honked at by drivers outside Lakewood. 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.http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_26603588/jeffco-authorities-investigating-threats-school-board-members-kids Jesse Paul Jeffco authorities investigating threats to school board members' kids The Denver Post September 25, 2014 December 19, 2017 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.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-salzman/conservative-jeffco-schoo_b_8421256.html Jason Salzman Conservative Jeffco School Board Member Insults Students, Teachers HuffPost October 29, 2015 December 19, 2017http://www.teaparty.org/teachers-union-uses-students-media-pawns-giant-colorado-battle-history-censorship-57483/ Teachers Union Uses Students, Media as Pawns in Giant Colorado Battle Over History ‘Censorship’ Tea Party September 25, 2014 December 19, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171222105257/https://www.teaparty.org/teachers-union-uses-students-media-pawns-giant-colorado-battle-history-censorship-57483/ December 22, 2017 dead 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.https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/10/02/colorado-student-protest-leader-im-learning-how-people-need-to-act-to-make-a-democracy-function/ Strauss, V. Colorado student protest leader: 'I'm learning how people need to act to make a democracy function' The Washington Post December 19, 2017 The same day, the committee approved a new proposal, which prompted over 100 people to attend a rally at Wadsworth Boulevard.https://www.cpr.org/2014/10/03/protesters-say-jefferson-county-school-board-disrespected-community/ Protesters say Jefferson County School Board disrespected community Patrick Fort CPR October 3, 2014 December 19, 2017 References 30em External links http://www.9news.com/story/news/education/2014/09/26/college-board-supports-jeffco-protests/16281847/ https://archive.today/20140928150154/http://www.9news.com/story/news/education/2014/09/26/college-board-supports-jeffco-protests/16281847/ dead September 28, 2014 The College Board supports Jeffco protests Nelson Garcia 9 News September 26, 2014 September 28, 2014 http://www.cpr.org/news/story/heres-whats-behind-jeffco-history-curriculum-protests Here's what's behind the JeffCo history curriculum protests Jenny Brundin CPR September 24, 2014 October 5, 2014 Category:2014 protests Category:2014 in Colorado Category:Student protests in the United States Category:Jefferson County, Colorado