A 10th-grade student at Chief Sealth International High School in Seattle, Washington was recently marked incorrect on a history quiz for stating that only women can get pregnant. The student, whose identity has been protected by his mother, failed a true-false quiz titled “Understanding Gender vs. Sex” in his Ethnic Studies World History class.
According to The Jason Rantz Show, a conservative radio program, the student’s mother expressed frustration and anger over the quiz. She told the show that her son, who is white, is often berated by teachers at the school who have accused him of being racist and a product of the patriarchy.
The quiz, which was administered about two weeks ago, had several questions related to pronoun usage and gender as a construct. The student labeled two statements as true: “All men have penises” and “Only women can get pregnant.” However, he was marked incorrect for both answers and failed the “knowledge check” quiz as a result.
In response to the controversy, Seattle Public Schools released a statement defending the quiz and stating that it was meant to promote inclusion and was in line with the lessons taught in the Ethnic Studies class. The district also emphasized its commitment to fostering inclusive environments and encouraging students to explore contemporary issues, particularly those related to power systems like racism and patriarchy.
Should this have even been a question on a public school test????
A Seattle high schooler was marked incorrect on a history quiz when he stated that only women can get pregnant, according to a report.https://t.co/YztVoDenrO
— The Silent Majority (@siIentmajority) December 13, 2023
However, the student’s mother believes that the quiz was not promoting inclusion, but instead teaching “inaccurate information” and forcing her son to answer against his beliefs. She also expressed concern over the impact of such lessons on her son’s grades, telling The Jason Rantz Show, “I keep trying to wrap my head around how it is legal to teach inaccurate information and force students to answer against their beliefs or receive negative scores.” She also stated that her son was simply expressing his own beliefs, which she believes are medically and scientifically accurate.
The course description for Ethnic Studies World History states that students will be “investigating… the global economy, society, and culture.” However, the student’s mother feels that the focus on contemporary issues and power systems like racism and patriarchy is overshadowing the actual historical content of the class.
While Seattle Public Schools remains committed to fostering inclusive environments and encouraging dialogue on these issues, the district has reassured the public that the failing quiz grade will not affect the student’s overall grade in the class.
