Teacher asking students to role play as KKK returns to classroom

LEXINGTON, S.C. — A South Carolina elementary school teacher is back in the classroom after giving fifth-graders homework that asked the students to picture themselves as Ku Klux Klan members.

School officials said the teacher was allowed to return to work after “careful review and investigation.”

The teacher who asked students to role play as Ku Klux Klan members for a homework assignment was placed on administrative leave.

The Island Packet reported that Lexington-Richland School District 5 officials said it was "taking (the) matter very seriously" after Tremain Cooper posted a picture of his nephew's assignment on Facebook last week.

The assignment asked fifth-grade students at Oak Pointe Elementary to imagine they were a member of the KKK and provide a justification for the KKK's treatment of African-Americans. It also asked students to imagine they were newly freed slaves and explain if they were satisfied with their lives.

The school district officials said they will ensure the assignment is not used again in district schools.

"It's one of those issues in today's time with all the things going on that bubbles to the surface very quick and you just have to make sure things are being done right,” said school board member Robert Gantt.

South Carolina Department of Education officials said it has no problem with lessons on the KKK being taught in school, but they said teachers must be thoughtful in approaching the topic, and make sure the material is age-appropriate.

Associated Press