Pittsburgh Schools Probing 'Inappropriate' 1st-Grade Homework

PITTSBURGH, PA - Pittsburgh Public Schools are investigating what the district called an "inappropriate" first-grade homework worksheet that involved children fleeing from the police. The worksheet was distributed to first-graders at Linden Elementary School in Point Breeze.

"The worksheet is not a part of the district’s curriculum or intervention programs," a district post on social media stated. "While we continue to port teacher autonomy to supplement classroom materials to meet the needs of their students, we must ensure that all materials placed in
front of our students are culturally responsive, validating and affirming their cultural and ethnic identities. The district is investigating the source of the materials."

Calling the incident a "personnel matter," the district said no further information is available.

The district did not disclose details on the worksheet, but parents posted it on social media.

The worksheet received abundant criticism on the district Facebook page, both for its message and its poor grammar.

"Why on earth did a teacher think this was a good idea for a homework exercise? Who wrote this drivel in the first place?" Nancy Ott posted. "On top of that, there is this little gem: Rob's socks is wet from the pond.' So much for teaching proper grammar."