education

A-level textbook withdrawn over ‘horrifying’ question about Native Americans

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Students were asked what ways the poor treatment of Native Americans was ‘exaggerated’ (Picture: Getty Images/AQA/@hannahcw127)

An exam board has apologised over a textbook containing an ‘inappropriate question’ about the persecution of Native Americans.

The extract was tweeted by teacher Hannah Wilkinson, who said it left her feeling ‘horrified’.

The textbook, titled ‘USA 1865-1975: The Making Of A Superpower’ asked: ‘To what extend do you believe the treatment of Native Americans has been exaggerated?’

During this period some tribes were massacred by the US government, while mass sterilisation, often without patients’ informed consent, was carried out in the 1960s and 1970s.

Following her complaint, exam board AQA and publisher Hodder Education said the book had been taken off shelves.

Ms Wilkinson tweeted: ‘I do some history mentoring and while prepping for tomorrow’s session I have some questions for you @AQA.

‘In what world is this is an acceptable question/exercise to ask students to complete on the history of Native Americans in late 1800s US? Actually horrified.’

Ms Wilkinson teaches history for students who require extra support at Durham Sixth Form Centre, according to the BBC, which first reported the story.

In response, Hodder Education tweeted: ‘Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We agree that this content is inappropriate and are going to remove this book from sale. We will conduct a thorough review of the content with subject experts.’

AQA said: ‘We’ve spoken with the publisher @HodderSchools and they’ll remove this book from sale and review its content.

‘We’re also working together with publishers to ensure that new and updated editions of AQA-approved textbooks meet our commitment to EDI (equity, diversity and inclusion).’

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