An unusual homework assignment given to a high school student in Oklahoma has sparked widespread debate on social media, raising concerns about the appropriateness of religious questions in a classroom setting. The assignment, which was shared on Facebook by the student’s mother, has prompted a flurry of reactions from parents, educators, and the public alike.
Just one week into the new school year, a high school student in Oklahoma was handed an assignment in her World History class that left both her and her mother, Olivia Gray, taken aback. The assignment, titled “How did the world start?” included provocative questions such as “Is God real?”, “Is Satan real?”, and “What does it mean to be a Christian?”. Students were expected to answer these questions and cite their sources using the APA (American Psychological Association) style.
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Gray took to Facebook earlier this month to express her concerns, posting a photo of her daughter Nettie’s assignment with the caption: “This is one of Nettie’s assignments for World History class. It’s being called a research paper. This is some crazy sh*t overall and also on a technical level. Literally the kid had been in school one week.”
The post quickly gained traction online, amassing 375 reactions, 633 comments, and 477 shares. The assignment’s emphasis on religious questions, especially in a public school context, ignited a heated discussion in the comments.
One commenter, Jenna Walkingstick, expressed her frustration, saying, “I’d be interested to see the teacher’s grading rubric… even as a college student, I’d find this assignment challenging. What are the ‘correct’ answers? I’m not sure I want to know.”
Another user, Lisa Lawson-Wallace, raised concerns about the nature of the task, stating, “So she’s now being compelled to disclose her personal beliefs and will be evaluated on them?” This sentiment was echoed by teacher Jane Maslanka, who was shocked by the assignment: “This is outrageous. What sources is she expected to use? As a teacher—and a tough one at that—I have no issue with a high school student (or even an upper middle school student) beginning a research paper in the first week. But this assignment is completely out of line. I never thought I’d say this, but she might be better off at a Catholic school!”
The assignment has raised important questions about the boundaries of education, particularly in public schools where the separation of church and state is a fundamental principle. While some may argue that such topics could be relevant in a world history context, the personal and potentially divisive nature of the questions has many questioning whether this was an appropriate task for high school students.
As the debate continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether the school will address the concerns raised by Gray and others. In the meantime, the incident has shone a spotlight on the complexities of teaching sensitive topics in a diverse and evolving educational landscape.
