'Don't Know Much about History': Is Denver the Start of a New Student Movement?
A walkout by students in Denver on Tuesday is just the latest in a series of peaceful student-led protests across the nation aimed at challenging the corrosive effects of corporate education reform. Reportedly, proposed changes to the history curriculum sparked the action. That plan requires teachers to restructure the curriculum to emphasize chapters in American History portraying the nation only in the most positive light. To do so, an oversight committee will examine texts and lesson plans to certify that they "promote citizenship, patriotism, essentials, and benefits of the free-market system, respect for authority, and respect for individual rights" and not "encourage or condone civil disorder, social strike or disregard of the law."
In response to criticism, Denver School Board member Julie Williams, author of the proposal explained: "There are things we may not be proud of as Americans, but we shouldn't be encouraging our kids to think that America is a bad place."
There is a certain irony to Williams's words. Much of what corporate education reformers attempt to force on communities, in terms of budget cuts, the assault on teacher tenure, and the adoption of questionable instructional models, undermines the very essence of American democracy. Such measures compromise free speech, due process and now the First Amendment right to take action-demanding redress. A teacher protest last Friday, over issues of compensation and evaluation methods, in which close to half of Jefferson County's high school teachers called in sick or took personal days and forced the cancellation of classes preceded the student actions. From the perspective of many in the community the protests, though disruptive, finally demonstrated the seriousness of the issues and secured the school board's attention.
The proposal and Williams's response come at a time when students nationwide are demonstrating just how well they have absorbed those civics and history lessons -- subject areas, which receive far less instructional time because they are not always tested. Not surprisingly, for instance, the Denver proposal began with Advanced Placement United States History, because in many districts AP courses constitute the only sustained foray into U.S. History for students. In many communities, history and social studies have become almost an afterthought to math and science. Yet, in what may be the most important test, students are making the connection between what is happening in their schools and their role in what is still a participatory democracy.
The phenomenon is not new but is becoming more widespread. In Providence, Rhode Island, for instance, the Providence Student Union led the charge against corporate education reform with a mission statement declaring their intent to "build the collective power of students" and "ensure youth have a real say in the decisions 'Don't Know Much about History': Is Denver the Start of a New Student Movement? | Yohuru Williams: