Jeffco students protest proposed "censorship" of history curriculum

Students from Evergreen High School meet with Jefferson County Schools officials over their concerns about advanced placement history curriculum, Monday, September 22, 2014. (Jesse A. Paul. The Denver Post)

GOLDEN Dozens of Evergreen High School students walked out of their morning classes on Monday and car pooled to the Jefferson County School Administration Building to protest what they see as the school board's attempt to censor advanced history curriculum.

"I want honesty in my classroom," the students said in a letter presented to Superintendent Dan McMinimee, who spoke with four student representatives, and the board. "Teachers want honesty in the classroom."

The protest followed a teacher sick out that closed two schools last week. Schools were back open on Monday despite rumors that educators might not show again. Students said similar protests are planned for the rest of the week.

"We came in as a preventative measure," said Mali Holmes, a senior at Evergreen.

The group of 100 to 200 students protested for about 45 minutes before returning back to school, specifically asking that civil disobedience topics not be removed from the AP U.S. History course. Student leaders told The Denver Post that the gathering was planned on Facebook late Sunday night.

Monday's protest meant the second day in a week students missed school because of mounting controversy in the district. McMinimee said he asks students and educators to let him come to them instead of having kids miss school driving to the administration building.

"I think you just keep trying to communicate and maybe over communicate," McMinimee said of efforts to stabilize the tumult.

The curriculum controversy stems from a board member's proposal to form a review panel to promote patriotic material, respect for authority and the free-market system. In turn, the panel would avoid material about "civil disorder, social strife or disregard of the law."

Several parents also attended the protest to support their children, including David Temple, who, along with his son, met with McMinimee.

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Jeffco students protest proposed "censorship" of history curriculum