Gwinnett Schools HR Investigating Controversial Math Problems

have garnered national media attention and caused outrage among school parents—and now Gwinnett School officials say that a full Human Resources investigation will take place.

“Human Resources is conducting an investigation into this matter and is working with the principal to determine what staff development is needed, as well what other actions may be warranted for the teachers involved,” said Gwinnett Schools spokesperson Sloan Roach.

"Each tree has 56 oranges. If eight slaves pick them equally, then how much would each slave pick?" one problem read. "If Frederick got two beatings each day, how many beatings did he get in one week?" was another question on the worksheet, according to reports. 

She said that the problems were created by a teacher and not a part of any textbook that the school system uses. The classes were studying famous Americans, and had recently been studying Frederick Douglass. “The assignment was an attempt at incorporating some of what students had been discussing in social studies with their math activity,” said Roach. She earlier recognized that the problems were an unsuccessful attempt at “cross-curricular” teaching.

The math problems were sent home with four different third grade classes at Beaver Ridge Elementary, Roach said.

“We understand the parents' concerns about these questions and want to ensure that this does not happen again and that it is handled appropriately,” Roach said. 

Articles about the problems appeared in local news outlets like the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Channel 2 and have also been picked up nationally. A story on the Huffington Post had been shared over 6,000 times as of 5 p.m. on Monday. 

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution also reports that NAACP President Ed DuBose has called for the firing of all teachers and staff involved in the incident.