A Colorado teacher protest against the school board’s proposal to change the history curriculum has lead to more than 700 students walking out of class and forcing officials to close two schools. The protest began last Friday with about 50 teachers from Golden and Jefferson high schools staging a sick-out in order to fight what many are calling a radical proposal from the newly elected school board in Jefferson County.
The Colorado teacher protest is growing with each passing day. The unrest started on Friday when more than 50 educators from two high schools staged a synchronized sick-out day in order to protest against what they are calling “the radical conservative agenda,” being pushed in a proposal written by the school board’s member Julie Williams.
During the second day of the Colorado teacher protest, which took place on Monday, officials were forced to cancel class after more than 100 students walked out and 80% of the educators failed to show up to work.
By Wednesday, the number of the participants in the Colorado teacher protest had escalated to 700 students from 5 different schools including Evergreen Chatfield, Alameda International and Dakota Ridge high schools.
On Thursday, it was estimated that more than 1000 participated in sick-outs and student walk-outs. Students dressed as Rosa Parks or Martin Luther King took to the streets shouting “education without limitation.”
So, what is the cause of the Colorado teacher protest, which has paralyzed the largest school district in the state?
It all started in March after the the College Board, the organization that sets standards for the courses made some changes in the Advanced Placement US history curriculum.
The changes were applauded by teachers, but they were deemed “radically revisionist” and anti-American by the Republican National Committee.
The state of Texas, which was appalled by the reviews, made the decision to ban the AP history class outright. And now, Colorado wants to review Advanced Placement US history curriculum.
Julie Williams and two other conservatives members of the board John Newkirk and Ken Witt believed the modification should be made following these criteria:
“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.”
Many students, parents and teachers called the language in the proposal scary and claimed that the Koch Brothers’ Americans for Prosperity special-interest front group poured thousands of dollars in board elections in order to have members who will preach extreme conservatism.
A hearing on the controversial review is set for October 2. Many predict the massive Colorado teacher protest will force officials to strike down a good portion of the proposal.
The Colorado teacher protest is also about a teacher compensation proposal that does not sit well with some.
