ASSIGNMENT ASKS OHIO STUDENTS TO SAY WHO THEY WOULD SAVE

Middle schoolers are asked to choose who they would save.

CUYAHOGA FALLS — Cuyahoga Falls School District is investigating a class assignment that asked students to decide based on age, religion, sexual orientation and other descriptors who they would save if the world was coming to an end.

A not-yet identified teacher at Roberts Middle School handed out the assignment, titled “Whom to Leave Behind.” The assignment asked students to choose eight of 12 persons to put on a space ship to take to a different planet because the Earth was doomed for destruction.

Descriptions of the possible passengers include a “militant African-American medical student,” a “homosexual, male professional athlete” and a “female movie star who was recently the victim of sexual assault.”

Superintendent Todd Nichols said Thursday he has not yet had an opportunity to speak directly with the teacher, but plans to meet with him Monday when the instructor’s union representative and a human resources representative will be available.

“We take the matter very seriously, we are investigating it and we expect it to be completed very early next week with a resolution,” Nichols said.

Nichols said he has heard no reaction from any of the students in the four classes in which the assignment was distributed.

Ward 8 Councilman Russ Iona received a copy of the assignment from a concerned Cuyahoga Falls resident.

“I was kind of surprised by all the stereotypes on this,” Iona said. “I’m not sure of where they are going with this or what purpose it was to serve.”

Ward 6 Councilman Adam Miller posted the assignment on his Facebook page, stating he had a “sincere conversation” with the teacher and indicated the teacher will not use the assignment in the future.

Miller posted: “Inappropriate project for young kids. In my view, it clearly uses conjecture which is suggesting this fictious [sic] behavior is somehow an accepted pattern. Additionally, it’s implanting prejudicial thoughts in these young impressionable minds. This is NOT building a — “culture of caring” — this is building a culture of animosity, antagonism & hostility! Why can’t kids be kids? Sad to see this indecent indoctrination forced upon our kids...”

School started last week at Roberts Middle School, which is for sixth- through eighth-grade students.