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Image for representational purposes only.
After a Wisconsin radio host posted a screenshot of one area teacher’s idea of an appropriate writing assignment, dozens of outraged citizens – along with several high-profile news organizations – began circulating the story and lambasting the teacher.
According to the post, U.S. and World History teacher Beth Urban instructed her students to prepare for a five-paragraph essay in which they will pretend to be a male or female Muslim in America.
“Give 3 examples of what you do daily for your religion,” the assignment stated, “and any struggles you face.”
EAG News contacted a parent of one student in the class who, while she doesn’t hold the teacher accountable for coming up with the project, does feel it was inappropriate.
“I did not voice my concerns directly to the teacher,” she said, “because I do not blame the teacher. I believe this is a curriculum issue. The teachers are not using their own curriculum; the school boards/superintendents do generally.”
Such a loss of local control over public education is a major source of concern for opponents of the federal curriculum program known as Common Core. EAG News pointed out, however, that this was not Union Grove High School’s first experience with controversial assignments.
Roughly two years ago, the same school distributed crossword puzzles that defined conservatives as those who adhere to a “political belief of … restricting personal freedoms,” a move that was quickly denounced by local parents.
Shortly after that incident, the company responsible for publishing the assignment confirmed it would take greater care in eliminating such biased content.
Western Journalism contacted Union Grove High School for comment. As of this writing, our attempts have been unsuccessful.
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This post originally appeared on Western Journalism – Equipping You With The Truth
The assignment is inappropriate and against parental rights re informed consent, as well as, the law. And, the teacher is responsible for what they choose to teach. No more excuses of ‘I just followed the curriculum, followed orders, etc.’