Teacher regrets murderous essay assignment

[Merika]

Teacher regrets murderous essay assignment
Posted 5/15/2006 4:07 AM ET

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — A high school teacher has apologized for asking students to write about who they would kill and how they would do it, and officials said he will likely keep his job.
Michael Maxwell, who teaches industrial technology at Central High School, said his request that students in his beginning drafting class describe how they would carry out a murder was merely a writing prompt. It was not clear why he asked the drafting class to write fiction.

"I made a horrible mistake that I regret," Maxwell said. "I want to apologize to my students, my colleagues and to the community."

The April 21 writing request, which Maxwell said was not a formal assignment, came to the attention of administrators when a parent of one of the students filed a complaint with Principal Barton Albright.

Albright expressed regret and apologized for Maxwell's "lapse of judgment."

"He's an exemplary person ... this is very out of character," the principal said.

St. Joseph School District spokesman Steve Huff declined to discuss possible disciplinary measures because the matter is considered a personnel issue. But he said the incident probably isn't serious enough to cost Maxwell his job.

About 25 to 30 students from ninth through 12th grades were in the class, Albright said.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/educati...r-murder_x.htm

8O 8O 8O

[Vautrin]

What was the exact subject this teacher taught? I could imagine such an assignment being given in the more psychological geared fields, but no way that something like that should be done in highschool.

I am curious: did a student write something titled: "I want to kill you for giving me such stupid assignments."

[Merika]

...and then they wonder why a kid goes off the deep edge and kills another kid in the parking lot.

[Star]

what was this guy thinking? OMG!!

this was 100% an inapropriate assignment to give to high school kids. he should be fired for that or at least suspended!! 8O

[Merika]

My kids have had so many totally tarded out teachers that it's a crying shame. I have no idea how these people passed college or feel they should be getting a paycheck.

[Just__A__Thought]

Yeah, but I'd kinda like to read the student papers!

:wink:

[Merika]

Originally Posted by Just__A__Thought

Yeah, but I'd kinda like to read the student papers!

:wink:

Were you looking for some ideas to get rid of the EX?