Felder Calls for Immediate Removal of Teachers Involved in Slavery-Themed Homeword Assignment at Manhattan's P.S. 59

Commends Student Teacher for Coming Forward

Senator Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn), the Chair of the New York City Education Sub-Committee, is calling for the removal of two elementary school teachers from Manhattan’s P.S. 59 in the wake of a NY1 Exclusive Report which revealed that fourth-grade students were given slavery-themed math homework assignments. The vile assignment came to light after student teacher Aziza Harding brought it to the attention of her NYU graduate professor who turned it over to NY1.

Students were asked to solve mathematics problems such as, “One slave got whipped five times a day. How many times did he get whipped in a month (31 days)? Another slave got whipped nine times a day. How many times did he get whipped in a month? How many times did the two slaves get whipped together in one month?"

“While the City, State and unions are busy haggling over teacher evaluations, New York City’s students are being subjected to reprehensible and irresponsible educational materials,” Senator Felder said. “I am calling for the immediate removal of these two teachers and I commend Ms. Harding for having the courage to do the right thing without any concern for potential repercussions to her budding professional career."