So, we’re not really sure whether this supposed to be a math homework assignment or an assignment about the late author, Maya Angelou.
Pennridge High School in Perkasie, Pa. came under fire from parents after a math assignment incorporated controversial material involving sexual assault and prostitution, taken from Angelou’s autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”
Here is the bizarre question:
Students were given algebraic equations to solve that were accompanied by fill-in-the-blank factoids from the book. In order to get the answer correct, students had to solve the math equation and correspond the solution with the matching word or phrase.
There really is no correlation between the fill-in-the-blank portion of the problems and the mathematical equation segment. I suppose this method kills two birds with one stone -- math and literature -- but this was supposed to be specifically a math assignment.
Incorporating literature is one thing, but to include subject matter that is clearly adult to high school students is clearly questionable.
According to CBS 3 – Philadelphia:
The district said the assignment was “downloaded from a website that allows teachers around the world to share educational resources.”
“It is not part of our approved curriculum,” the district said in a statement.
The district apologized for the question and said they have taken steps to make sure that never happens again.
Sorry, but two plus two does not equal sexual assault and pimps.
For video of the story, watch below: