Administrators at a charter school in Las Vegas are investigating allegations posed by a group of parents who claim a 4th grade math teacher is using a lesson in economics to ostracize their children. The parents say their children, ages 9 and 10, must answer questions and complete assignments to receive points that act as money that they use to pay rent and utilities. If the students don’t make the grade, they are unseated from their desks and forced to sit on the floor, rendering them essentially “homeless.” The students have been afraid to object to the teacher’s decision, “because then she’s going to get angry.” The teacher, Chelsey Williams (inset), has not acknowledged requests for her side of the story. Multiple parents have sent written complaints to the State Public Charter School Authority, who basically said to work it out with school administration. Jennifer Clevinger is one parent who has already met with the school’s vice principal, Denise Koch. “She seemed to be appalled,” said Clevinger. “She was very upset, was apologetic, and she agreed that this part of the curriculum needed to end.” Parents have another meeting scheduled for Monday, this time with the school’s interim executive director, Friederike Opalinski, who said the school is investigating the claims.
