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GWEN IFILL: There are protests again tonight in suburban Denver in Colorados second largest school district, where students have been battling over what should be taught in Advanced Placement history classes.

Nationally, some standards have already changed. But in recent weeks, Colorado has been the central focus, as the local school board responded with its own plan, and students and teachers are pushing back.

Hari Sreenivasan has the story.

HARI SREENIVASAN: The conflict over curriculum thats sparked nearly two weeks of protests has now come to a head. Its the prime topic at tonights school board meeting in Jefferson County, Colorado, just outside Denver.

Board president Ken Witt:

KEN WITT, President, Jefferson County Board of Education: I hope we come to a to good dialogue and get to a good plan for how to execute the boards obligation to oversee curriculum and to make certain that were doing the right thing for our students to ensure that were offering balanced, thorough curriculum and that were fulfilling our responsibility as a board.

HARI SREENIVASAN: The battle began when the College Board set out new national standards for Advanced Placement U.S. history courses. Theyre used by college-bound students to earn college credits. But a number of conservatives argued the standards depict the United States in a negative light and distort key events.

In Jefferson County, the school boards conservative majority called for naming a committee to make changes. One member offered a plan that said classroom materials should quote promote citizenship, patriotism, essentials and benefits of the free enterprise system, respect for authority and respect for individual rights.

At the same time, it said the course shouldnt encourage or condone civil disorder, social strife or disregard of the law.

That language set off waves of students leaving class to march with signs and flags.

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AP History class standards spark fight over patriotism and censorship