A school in metro Atlanta has come under scrutiny for issuing a Hitler-related assignment to its 8th-grade students. Fox 5 reported that The Mount Vernon School presented students with questions that involved evaluating Adolf Hitler’s qualities.
Students were asked to assess Hitler’s effectiveness as a ‘solution seeker’ and his capabilities as an ethical decision-maker.
The answer choices provided for these evaluations ranged from “Lacks Evidence” to “Exceeds Expectations.”
This assignment has sparked controversy and criticism from parents and students alike, with one student describing it as “troubling.” “Obviously, that looks horrible in the current context,” the student remarked. “At Mount Vernon, we tend to approach things differently, often trying to think outside the box, but it doesn’t always pan out.”
Mount Vernon principal defends controversial Hitler-themed assignment
Previous 8th graders noted that such questions were not part of their curriculum. Mount Vernon’s principal, Kristy Lundstrom, has expressed the school’s stance against antisemitism and explained that the task was aimed at exploring World War II. It was intended to enhance students’ knowledge of historical facts and provide insight into how Hitler manipulated fear after the Treaty of Versailles, according to Lundstrom.
“Immediately following this incident, I met with the School’s Chief of Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, and Action, Head of Middle School, and a concerned Rabbi and friend of the School. This meeting helped us to understand the concerns of some families and aided in a comprehensive review of the assignment and its impact on the community,” said Lundstrom. “The period of Adolf Hitler and the associated events are challenging and sensitive subjects.”
A student commented on the educational intent behind the assignment, noting, “I can see why it would upset people, but I believe it’s crucial to examine every aspect of a situation. It’s important to be able to weigh and contrast all historical events, regardless of whether they are viewed positively or negatively.”