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Wisconsin teachers placed on leave after asking students how they would ‘punish’ slaves

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Patrick Marsh Middle School in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin (Google Maps)

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The Sun Prairie Area School District in Madison, Wisconsin, has placed middle school teachers on leave after it was revealed they gave sixth-grade students an assignment that asked, “How they would “punish” a slave?”

A statement from the school said that the project was concerning a set of laws established by King Hammurabi in ancient Mesopotamia. 

Principal Rebecca Zahn issued a joint statement apologizing for the assignment.

Part of the statement read, “Our intent missed the mark, and for that, we are deeply sorry,” said Zahn. “Going forward, we will be sure to think critically about whether our intent matches our impact.”

Sun Prairie Area School District is investigating the assignment, and all teachers who were involved have been placed on leave.

In a statement released, the school district said, “We deeply regret that this lesson took place, and we also recognize that this was a breakdown in our curricular processes and our district-wide focus on equity. In addition to immediately addressing this situation, it is important that we commit to changing our curriculum and professional development for all staff.”

Parents expressed anger over the incident, especially since the assignment comes at the beginning of Black History Month.

Dazarrea Ervins, whose son showed her the project, told NBC affiliate WMTV, “I can see how they’re learning about this era, but the wording of the question and the statement—it was just wrong.”

The lesson plan was purchased from Teachers Pay Teachers, an online store for educational resources. The organization called the lesson “unacceptable, inappropriate, and antithetical.” 

It has since been removed from the online store.

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