Skiatook High School Teacher Removes Homework Assignment After Parents Express Concerns

A Skiatook High School homework assignment is circulating online after some parents called it inappropriate.

The world history class adjunct teacher asked students to write about how the world was started, including their thoughts on God and Satan.

That assignment has since been removed.

The superintendent told News On 6 that staff are trained on Oklahoma Academic Standards and have a timeline on when topics should be taught.

Still, some parents question why administrators do not oversee assignments that others could find controversial.

Olivia Gray said while helping her daughter Nettie, a sophomore at Skiatook High School, with homework, she found out about an assignment she calls “ridiculous.”

“She wasn't opposed to doing an assignment,” said Gray. “She was opposed to someone asking for her personal opinion on religion.”

The research paper assignment for Nettie's world history class had 10 questions, including:

What is Christianity?

Is God real?

Is Satan real?

Gray's post about it on Facebook has had hundreds of shares and comments.

Nettie's older sister, Olivia Ramirez, a Skiatook graduate, said she is also shocked.

“We did learn about different religions within the context of the lessons, and we did have to answer questions, but we never had to answer questions like that,” said Ramirez.

Superintendent Rick Loggins said the teacher is new and hopes this will not happen again.

“The principal discussed that with the teacher, also met with his mentor teacher and gave him some guidance on future assignments,” said Loggins.

News On 6 talked to several parents who said this subject leads to other questions.

“Even if this teacher just kind of went rogue, do they not look at anybody's curriculum?” asked Gray.

Superintendent Loggins said staff are not trying to indoctrinate anyone.

He says what happened has nothing to do with State Superintendent Ryan Walters' mandate to teach religion in class.

“It is very much a coincidence,” said Loggins. “In fact, I told our staff at the beginning, the very first day of school, that we were going to follow the current law.”

News On 6 is not naming the teacher who gave the assignment since he is not accused of breaking any district policies or misconduct.

News On 6 reached out to the teacher for comment and has not heard back.