WAKE FOREST, N.C. _ A Wake County high school has pulled a lesson that asked students to answer questions about their gender, sexuality, religion and socioeconomic status.
According to parents, an English teacher at Heritage High School asked 10th-grade students on Wednesday to answer a "Diversity Inventory" worksheet asking personal questions about themselves, their friends and their family. In a statement Thursday, the Wake County school system said that after a parent complained, the principal reviewed the activity and directed the teacher to discontinue the lesson immediately.
"While we value efforts to build a classroom community that is inclusive and respectful of all students and backgrounds, the Wake County Public School System also respects and values student privacy and their right to engage in discussion about personal identity when they are comfortable to do so," the district said in the statement.
"The Diversity Inventory worksheet in question is not a district-provided resource. We will continue to work with educators on how to effectively lead important conversations connected to identity, culture, and other sensitive topics as appropriate."
The worksheet asked students to identify their gender, race/ethnicity, age, sexuality, ability, religion and socioeconomic status. In addition to answering for themselves, students were asked to answer those questions about their elementary school, their teachers, close friends, doctor, other people who live in their home and their neighbors.
The activity drew complaints on social media from some conservative parents and groups.
"Now class, Please say your name, religion, gender, label everyone in your life as skin #colors, tell us your sexuality and socioeconomic status," Angela Humprhies, a frequent critic of the school district, tweeted Thursday. "Welcome to 10th grade English class at Heritage High in @WCPSS."
In its statement, Wake said that it appreciated the parent bringing their concern about the assignment to the school's attention.
"Parental involvement is crucial to student success," the statement continued. "Students and parents should always speak with their teacher and principal about any assignment that they have questions about or that cause them concern.
