Suburban Denver student education protest grows

In the largest of a series of ongoing student protests, about 700 young people gathered in suburban Denver to rally in opposition to a new set of high school history standards proposed by a conservative-led school board.

The protest at a busy intersection near Littleton marked a continuation of demonstrations that began Friday with a sick out from teachers upset over issues including the plan to focus on material that promotes patriotism and respect for authority.

The Denver Post reports students waved signs and chanted for about two hours Wednesday.

The Jefferson County School Board proposal comes in response to a new national framework for teaching Advanced Placement history.

Supporters say the new standards encourage critical thinking. Critics say the changes put too much emphasis on the nation’s problems.