Senator Melissa Agard and Representative Gary Hebl Respond to Racist Assignment at Patrick Marsh Middle School
SUN PRAIRIE – A group of social studies teachers have been put on administrative leave after they assigned a project to sixth grade students asking them how to punish an enslaved person. According to the Sun Prairie School District (SPSD), this was not a part of the district approved curriculum. The SPSD is conducting an investigation into the situation.
“I am glad the Sun Prairie School District responded quickly and is actively investigating the situation,” Rep. Hebl (D- Sun Prairie) said. “However, this demonstrates how much further we have to go when it comes to addressing racial biases and racial disparities in our state and in our classrooms.”
“No lesson plan, assignment, test, or quiz, should ever involve asking a student how to punish an enslaved person or another human being,” said Rep. Hebl. “Assignments like this further perpetuates racial biases and shows blatant disregard for cultural competency, especially considering this came out on the first day of Black History Month. There is no excuse for how this lesson was presented.
“My heart is with the kids and families impacted by this and I pledge to do what I can to improve Wisconsin so all of our kids know that they matter,” said Sen. Agard. “We have to do better for our children.”
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