Students stage walkout over proposal to downplay civil disobedience

How are high schoolers fighting a curriculum proposal that includes, "Materials should not encourage or condone civil disorder, social strife or disregard of the law"?

With civil disobedience, of course.

Students from at least seven Jefferson County High Schools in Colorado took part in walkouts against their school board on Tuesday, protesting a proposal to review the way Advanced Placement U.S. history is taught in high school.

"I think it's awesome that students understand and recognize their First Amendment rights and they're taking action," John Ford, president of the Jefferson County Education Association, told KUSA.

"Trying to create a board that in some ways purifies our curriculum is a little bit concerning and somewhat chilling," Ford said.

School board member Julie Williams offered the curriculum review committee proposal. Williams issued a statement Tuesday that says her idea has nothing to do with censorship. She says she wants parents and community members to take part in the decision-making process by having a nine-person committee look at the changes in the A.P. U.S. History curriculum.

"It has an emphasis on race, gender, class, ethnicity, grievance and American-bashing while simultaneously omitting the most basic structural and philosophical elements considered essential to the understanding of American history for generations," Williams said in a statement.

JeffCo Schools Superintendent Dan McMinimee says he's been listening to the students.

"I respect the right of our students to express their opinions in a peaceful manner. I do, however, prefer that our students stay in class. I have offered to meet with any students and answer their questions," McMinimee said.

He says the issue students are upset about is just a proposal and has not been finalized. The next school board meeting is Oct. 2. McMinimee hopes the district can get back to the business of teaching kids.

"I think that's healthy to hear when you put something out there. I think it's healthy to hear that," McMinimee said. "But, I am hoping that now that kids feel that they've done this that now we can go back to school as normal."