The protests began
At issue is a new approach to AP History this year that focuses more on examining historical documents and discussing the nation's history, rather than memorizing facts. The course also gives more attention to the period before the arrival of Christopher Columbus as well as slavery and women's roles. Some conservatives say the course was influenced by a movement in academia to de-emphasize the United States' uniqueness and treat it as one nation among many.
Students across a majority of the 17 high schools in Colorado's second-largest school district have left classes in droves over the past few weeks.
The protests began more than a week ago, after the Jefferson County School Board first proposed the U.S. history review. Teachers, who are also upset about a new merit pay plan, staged a sickout that closed two schools and then students began walking out of class in protests.
Before the meeting, both supporters and critics of the board demonstrated outside.
