Texas high school faces backlash for biology assignment about rape

A Texas school district reportedly said it is investigating the “source of the materials” after a question about rape appeared on a high school homework assignment and prompted backlash from some members of the community. 

Klein Independent School District confirmed to multiple news outlets that the “inappropriate” question about a rape appeared in a ninth-grade homework assignment on Friday. 

The question was part of a biology DNA assignment, KPRC-TV reported. 

“Suzy was assaulted in an alley and is a victim of rape. The police collected a sample of sperm that was left at the crime scene and now have three suspects in custody. Which of the suspects raped Suzy?” the question reportedly asked. 

Parents of some of the high school’s students spoke to the network to express concerns about the question. 

“It’s upsetting and I know girls this age, just the thought … they know that rape is forced non-consensual sex and that upsets them,” Cookie VonHaven, who has a daughter in 10th grade, told KPRC-TV. “That’s why I can’t fathom a teacher putting that on a test.”

“Wouldn’t (the teacher) have to get that approved by the school board or teachers or something to put that in there,” Dana Duplantier, who has a ninth-grader but was unaware whether her student received the assignment with the question, told the station. 

The Houston-area school district said in a reported statement that the assignment was not part of the district’s approved curriculum. 

“Klein ISD acknowledges that an inappropriate homework question was distributed by a teacher to some 9th grade biology students at Klein Collins High School. The assignment is not part of the District’s approved curriculum and is by no means representative of the District’s instructional philosophy,” the statement said. “The District has investigated the source of the materials and appropriate corrective action has been taken.”