Rape question on freshman biology homework prompts investigation at Texas high school

A freshman-grade biology teacher included a question about rape and testing sperm on a homework assignment, prompting an investigation by a Texas school district.

Parents of students at Klein Collins High School in Harris County are upset and confused about how it ended up in the curriculum in the first place, media outlets report.

Here is the question.

“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 3 suspects in custody. Which of the suspects raped Suzy?”

Klein Independent School District confirmed to McClatchy in a statement that an “inappropriate homework question was distributed by a teacher to some 9th grade biology students.”

“The assignment is not part of the district’s approved curriculum and is by no means representative of the district’s instructional philosophy,” a spokesman wrote in an email. “The district has investigated the source of the materials and appropriate corrective action has been taken.”

When asked, the school district did not specify what type of action was taken regarding the teacher.

“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, the mom of a sophomore student, told KPRC. “That’s why I can’t fathom a teacher putting that on a test.”

This story was originally published January 14, 2020 at 1:33 PM.