Dive Brief:
- Hundreds of Denver-area teens walked out of class on Tuesday in protest of a school board proposal that would narrow history instruction to themes centered around citizenship, patriotism, and respect for authority.
- The student protest came on the heels of a teacher protest that saw educators call in sick, forcing two high schools to close for the day.
- According to the Associated Press, the proposal that preceded the protests called for the constant reviewing of history texts and course plans to make sure they “promote citizenship, patriotism, essentials and benefits of the free-market system, respect for authority and respect for individual rights” and don’t “encourage or condone civil disorder, social strife or disregard of the law.”
Dive Insight:
Among signs students held up as they walked out: "Civil disobedience is patriotism." The walk-outs were essentially what the board was hoping to gloss over and never teach about, as well as a prime example of why personal beliefs have no place in the classroom — especially not a history classroom. Students should be exposed to ALL aspects of history and examples shouldn't be limited to one narrow narrative. As has also been evidenced with banned books and numerous other situations, if you take something away, students are more than likely going to be even more interested in it.