Both incidents reported to school authorities on April 24, 2023.
District superintendent issued an apology to parents and acknowledged missteps in process.
Fifth-grade teacher in Southborough, Massachusetts placed on leave for mock slave auction and use of racial slur during instruction.
In April, teacher used the N-word while reading from a book during class.
Incidents occurred in January and April 2023.
Parents concerned about similar incidents happening repeatedly, community leaders calling for intentional practices to improve cultural competency in the district.
Teacher led a history lesson on the economy of southern colonies where they held an impromptu mock slave auction, asking two students of color to stand and discuss their physical attributes.
Teacher's name not released and undergoing due process procedures. Principal Kathleen Valenti also placed on leave for 10 days in May.
A fifth-grade teacher in Southborough, Massachusetts has been placed on leave following reports of holding a mock slave auction and using racial slurs during instruction. The incidents occurred in January and April 2023, with the second incident involving the use of the N-word from a book not part of the curricula.
The teacher led a history lesson on the economy of southern colonies in January, where they held an impromptu mock slave auction. During this activity, two students of color were asked to stand and discussed their physical attributes. The second incident occurred in April when the same teacher used the N-word while reading from a book during class.
Both incidents were reported to school authorities on April 24, 2023. The district superintendent, Gregory L. Martineau, issued an apology to parents and acknowledged that there were missteps in the process that further complicated the situation.
The teacher's name was not released and is currently undergoing due process procedures to determine their status with the district. Principal Kathleen Valenti was also placed on leave for 10 days in May.
Parents have expressed concern about similar incidents happening repeatedly, and community leaders are calling for intentional practices to improve cultural competency in the district.
The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough serve approximately 1300 students, with about 63% being white. The district is working on a plan to ensure teachers have cultural competency training that will be implemented in fall.
A fifth grade teacher in Southborough, Massachusetts held a mock slave auction as part of a history lesson on the economy of the southern colonies.
The same teacher used racial slurs during instruction, specifically using the N-word from a book not part of the curricula.
Both incidents were reported to school authorities on April 24, 2023.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The article reports on a teacher who held a mock slave auction and used a racial slur during instruction. The author, Dennis Romero, does not make any editorializing or pontification statements in the article. However, the article does contain selective reporting as it only reports details that support the deceptive practices of the teacher. The author also quotes from and discusses a book where the N-word was used without disclosing that it is not a peer-reviewed study or pre-print. This constitutes science and health articles with implied facts without linking to peer-reviewed studies which have not been retracted.
The teacher at Margaret A. Neary Elementary School in Southborough, Massachusetts, about 30 miles west of Boston, held a mock slave auction and made examples of two children of color who were at the front of the room.
The author quotes from and discusses a book where the N-word was used without disclosing that it is not a peer-reviewed study or pre-print
In April, the same teacher read from and discussed a book that's not a part of the curricula. The teacher used the N-word
A Boston-area fifth grade teacher who held a mock slave auction in January as part of a history lesson on the economy of the southern colonies
Fallacies
(85%)
The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing the teacher's actions as 'unacceptable', 'traumatize Black students', and 'trivializes the horrors of slavery'. This is an emotional appeal that does not provide any logical reasoning or evidence to support these claims. The author also quotes Rahsaan Hall making an appeal to authority, stating that the incidents could provide a learning moment for the school district.
'unacceptable', 'traumatize Black students', and 'trivializes the horrors of slavery'
Rahsaan Hall: 'They should certainly be intentional and proactive about developing practices and engaging the community on these difficult topics.'
Bias
(80%)
The author uses language that depicts the teacher's actions as extreme and unacceptable, implying a bias against racism. The article also mentions the teacher being placed on leave and undergoing due process procedures, which could be seen as an attempt to monetize the situation.
such instructional methods are unacceptable, as they can traumatize Black students and trivialize the horrors of slavery.
The teacher was placed on leave and is undergoing due process procedures that could determine their status with the district.
A fifth-grade teacher in Massachusetts held a mock slave auction as part of a history lesson on the economy of the southern colonies.
The same teacher used racial slurs during instruction, specifically using the N-word from a book not part of the curricula.
Both incidents were reported to school authorities on April 24, 2023.
Accuracy
The mock slave auction took place in January during a lesson on the economy of the Southern colonies.
The teacher asked two students, who were of color, to stand and discussed their physical attributes during the mock slave auction.
Deception
(0%)
The author uses emotional manipulation by describing the incidents as 'disproportionately traumatic for students of color' and 'heinous language, threats, and a mock slave auction'. The author also engages in selective reporting by only reporting details that support their position, such as the use of racial slurs and mock slave auctions. The article does not disclose any sources.
The educator asked two children sitting in front of the room, who were of color, to stand, and the educator and class discussed physical attributes (i.e., teeth and strength)
Investigators announced they were pursuing criminal charges against six teens who they said participated in a hateful, racist online chat that included heinous language, threats, and a mock slave auction.
Fallacies
(85%)
The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing the mock slave auction as 'holding a mock slave auction' and 'a hateful, racist online chat that included heinous language, threats, and a mock slave auction'. This language is not necessary to accurately report the events and creates an emotional response in the reader.
]A hateful, racist online chat that included heinous language, threats, and a mock slave auction[.
holding a mock slave auction
Bias
(5%)
The author uses language that depicts the teacher's actions as extreme and unreasonable by describing the mock slave auction as 'holding a mock slave auction' and 'a hateful, racist online chat that included heinous language, threats, and a mock slave auction'.
a hateful, racist online chat that included heinous language, threats, and a mock slave auction
A 5th grade teacher in Southborough’s Neary School is under investigation for holding a mock slave auction during a history lesson and using the N-word.
The District learned about the incidents on April 24th but waited until May 29th to issue a public statement.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The article contains several examples of deception. The author uses emotional manipulation by describing the incidents as 'allegedly racist and inappropriate' without providing any evidence or context to support this claim. She also engages in selective reporting by only mentioning the incidents that support her negative portrayal of the educator, while omitting any information that might exonerate them. The author also uses sensational language, such as 'mock slave auction' and 'dehumanizing words', to manipulate readers' emotions and create a false sense of urgency. Additionally, the article implies facts without providing sources or links to peer-reviewed studies, which is a violation of the analysis rules.
Holding a mock slave auction is unacceptable and violates the District's core values.
The second incident occurred in April when the same educator was reading a book aloud that was recommended by a colleague. In reading and discussing the text, the educator used the ‘N-word’. It was later brought to the District’s attention that the ‘N-word’ does not appear in the book.
Dehumanizing words such as slurs should not be spoken by employees or students.
The first incident happened in January during a history lesson on the economy of southern colonies, which included slavery. An educator was teaching about the triangle trade, and slave auctions were discussed.
Fallacies
(85%)
The author commits the following fallacies: 1. Appeal to Authority: The author quotes the Anti-Defamation League and Southern Poverty Law Center to support her argument that simulations or role plays when teaching about historical atrocities or trauma are not appropriate. However, this does not make the statement true, as it is still an opinion based on their authority. 2. Dichotomous Depiction: The author presents the use of simulations in teaching about slavery as either 'proven practice for good civic education' or 'disproportionately traumatic for students of color and inappropriate'. This oversimplifies the issue and fails to acknowledge that there may be nuances and exceptions. 3. Hasty Generalization: The author states that 'every year the news brings stories of teachers who get into trouble when families complain about this kind of approach'. While it is true that such incidents occur, it is not a valid assumption to make about every instance where simulations are used in teaching about slavery.
]The District is fortunate to have faculty and staff who embody its core values and are committed to their work.[]
[]Simulations or role plays when teaching about historical atrocities or trauma are not appropriate, and these teaching methods are not to be used. They are unsound methods of teaching because they trivialize the experience of the victims and can leave students with the impression after the activity that they know what it was like to experience these atrocities.[]
[]Dehumanizing words such as slurs should not be spoken by employees or students. Using such words can harm students and negatively impact an open discussion on a particular topic.[]
Bias
(50%)
The author uses language that depicts the teacher's actions as extreme and unacceptable, demonstrating a clear bias against the teacher. The author also quotes parents expressing their concern and dissatisfaction with the situation, further reflecting a biased perspective.
An educator was teaching about the triangle trade, and slave auctions were discussed. During the lesson, the educator held an impromptu mock slave auction.
Meghan Cifuentes referred to incidents in her son’s classroom that she was happy the school was taking appropriate actions on. Reading from a statement, she called for a better policy and guidelines around literature and what is appropriate for classrooms and teachers.
The parents of students in that class had an opportunity to meet with the educator and the principal to learn about the two incidents. The goal was to be transparent with families and take responsibility for mistakes.
Southborough public school teacher placed on leave after holding 'mock slave auction' with students and using a racial slur while discussing a book.
Incidents occurred in a fifth-grade class in January and April, with parents being informed on April 24.
Teacher was leading a lesson on the 'economy of Southern colonies' when he held the mock slave auction.
During mock slave auction, teacher asked two students of color to stand and discussed physical attributes like teeth and strength.
School district is working to 'learn from its mistakes' and 'improve our cultural competency'
Southborough’s four public schools have about 1300 students, with approximately 63% being white.
Accuracy
The mock slave auction took place in January during a lesson on the economy of the Southern colonies.
The teacher asked two students, who were of color, to stand and discussed their physical attributes during the mock slave auction.
In another incident, the teacher used a racial slur while reading a book to students.
Deception
(30%)
The article reports on a teacher in Southborough who held a mock slave auction during a history lesson and used a racial slur while discussing a book. These actions are highly deceptive as they perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to an environment of racism. The teacher's actions were not appropriate, especially given the sensitive nature of the topics being discussed in the classroom. By engaging in these practices, the teacher misrepresented historical events and used language that is offensive and hurtful to certain communities.
The educator held an impromptu mock slave auction. The educator asked two children sitting in front of the room, who were of color, to stand, and the educator and class discussed physical attributes (i.e., teeth and strength)
A Southborough public school teacher has been placed on leave after holding “an impromptu mock slave auction” with students during a history lesson
In reading and discussing the text, the educator used the ‘N-word.’
Fallacies
(85%)
The author reports on incidents in which a teacher held a mock slave auction during a history lesson and used a racial slur while discussing a book. These actions constitute two separate fallacies: 1) the use of an inappropriate teaching method (mock slave auction) falls under the category of an informal fallacy known as 'Dichotomous Depiction' - oversimplifying complex issues into black and white, right or wrong, good or bad. This is a form of false equivalence that can be misleading and harmful in educational settings. 2) The use of a racial slur by the teacher falls under the category of an informal fallacy known as 'Appeals to Hate' - using language intended to demean, belittle, or harm individuals based on their race or ethnicity. This is a form of hate speech that has no place in any educational setting.
A Southborough public school teacher has been placed on leave after holding “an impromptu mock slave auction” with students during a history lesson and later using a racial slur while discussing a book,
The educator held an impromptu mock slave auction. The educator asked two children sitting in front of the room, who were of color, to stand, and the educator and class discussed physical attributes (i.e., teeth and strength)
In reading and discussing the text, the educator used the ‘N-word.’
Bias
(80%)
The article reports on a teacher in Southborough who held a mock slave auction during a history lesson and used a racial slur while discussing a book. These actions can be considered as examples of racial bias. The author does not express any bias towards the teacher or the situation but simply reports the facts.
]A Southborough public school teacher has been placed on leave after holding 'an impromptu mock slave auction' with students during a history lesson and later using a racial slur while discussing a book[.
In reading and discussing the text, the educator used the 'N-word'.
The educator held an impromptu mock slave auction. The educator asked two children sitting in front of the room, who were of color, to stand, and the educator and class discussed physical attributes (i.e., teeth and strength)
A Massachusetts teacher staged a mock slave auction and used the N-word in a 5th-grade class during a lesson on the Atlantic triangle slave trade.
The teacher asked two students of color to stand and discussed their physical attributes during the mock auction.
Accuracy
A Massachusetts teacher staged a mock slave auction and used the N-word in a 5th-grade class.
The same teacher used racial slurs during instruction, specifically using the N-word from a book not part of the curricula.
Deception
(0%)
The author uses emotional manipulation by describing the teacher's actions as 'unacceptable' and 'damaging'. She also selectively reports details that support her position, such as the use of the N-word and mock slave auction, while omitting information that contradicts it, like the fact that the N-word does not appear in the book. The author also sensationalizes by using strong language to describe the teacher's actions.
The educator asked two children sitting in front of the room, who were of color, to stand, and the educator and class discussed physical attributes (i.e., teeth and strength)
The author sensationalizes by using strong language to describe the teacher's actions
The author describes the teacher's actions as 'unacceptable' and 'damaging'
It was later brought to the District's attention that the ‘N-word’ does not appear in the book.
Fallacies
(80%)
The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing the teacher's actions as 'mock slave auction' and 'unacceptable', but does not provide any explicit fallacies in the text. However, there is an example of a potential appeal to authority when Martineau states that 'Dehumanizing words such as slurs should not be spoken by employees or students.' This statement implies that there is some sort of authoritative source that supports this claim, but no citation or reference is provided.
'mock slave auction'
Bias
(50%)
The author uses language that depicts the teacher's actions as extreme and unacceptable without providing any context or explanation as to why these actions are particularly egregious. This is an example of biased language.
> It was later brought to the District's attention that the ‘N-word’ does not appear in the book.
> The educator asked two children sitting in front of the room, who were of color, to stand, and the educator and class discussed physical attributes (i.e., teeth and strength).
> The teacher inappropriately called out the student who had reported the educator’s use of the racial slur, which is not acceptable.
