Sex Abuse Math Question On Homework Assignment Stirs Controversy At Bucks County High School

A Bucks County school district issued an apology after students were asked to complete a math equation about a child who was sexually abused.

The question was part of a lesson on Maya Angelou's autobiography "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" at Pennridge High School. The question, included on a sheet of homework that was obtained by the Bucks County Courier Times, featured a math formula.

The question said: "Angelou was sexually abused by her mother's ___ at age 8, which shaped her career choices and motivation for writing." The students had to use the math formula and select if Angelou was abused by her boyfriend, brother or father.

The school issued a statement of apology after parents complained.

"We apologize to anyone who was offended by the content of the assignment and have taken steps to avoid such occurrences in the future," Pennridge Superintendent Jacqueline Rattigan said in the statement.

The superintendent said the homework worksheet was downloaded from a website that allows teachers around the world to share educational resources and was not part of the district's approved curriculum.