Teacher On Leave After Uproar About Fat-Shaming, Sexist Math Quizzes: Report

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A San Francisco school teacher was placed on leave Monday after being accused of giving students quizzes containing sexist and fat-shaming content, according to a report from the San Francisco Chronicle.

The San Francisco Unified School District confirmed to Patch Wednesday that it is investigating complaints about the math teacher's test questions.

Tom Chan, an algebra teacher at Lowell High School, gave students quizzes asking them to figure out how much it would cost to take a girl who weighs 120 pounds out on a Valentine's Day date versus a girl who weighs 220 pounds. Another question was titled "Mr. Chan vs. The Fat Kid, according to the report.

A student's parent raised concerns about Chan's quiz to the San Francisco Chronicle, which said it contacted school officials.

Just a few hours later, Lowell Principal Jan Bautista notified families that Chan "needed to go on leave," according to the report, which added that it's unclear whether Chan was placed on paid leave or took a leave of absence.

"It’s pretty shocking," one parent told the San Francisco Chronicle. "The fact that nobody has brought this up to the school and he’s been there a really long time."

The school district has said it is investigating Chan's test questions.

"We take these concerns seriously and are actively investigating," district officials told Patch. "While we cannot share details because this is a personnel matter, we can share that once an issue is brought to our attention, we investigate every report and take appropriate corrective action if required."

According to the Chronicle, parents said older siblings had encountered similar test questions in years past.

Some students have come to their teacher's defense.

"I don't think he meant that stuff he said," Lowell High senior Jayden Grajeda told NBC Bay Area."He was just trying to get the kids to focus and engage with the material and actually try to learn it."

Not all the questions involved mathematical concepts.

One test asked the students when was the last time they “gave candy to a fat kid," and other questions asked, "How tall are you and how much do you weigh?" and "Pretty or smart. And why?

District officials say students or families can report concerns through the SFUSD "See Something, Say Something" reporting system. Reports are anonymous and the system is available 24/7, officials said.

Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.