Fort Smith teacher placed on leave after racial slur used in a test

A Fort Smith Public Schools (FSPS) high school English teacher was placed on administrative leave Thursday (Feb. 13) after complaints of racism were made to administration regarding a test administered in his class.

The district released a statement Thursday stating that it had been informed of an incident in which a teacher used inappropriate and offensive language in a classroom test at Northside High School.

“The use of such language – whether in speech, writing, or any other form – is completely unacceptable and does not reflect the values of the District,” the statement noted. “FSPS is taking immediate action to address the situation. The district is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment for all students and staff. FSPS sincerely apologized to Northside students, families and the community for this incident and the harm it may have caused.”

A photo of the test question was posted multiple times on social media Thursday. The question asked what literary device was used in a quoted phrase from the book “Warriors Don’t Cry” by Melba Patillo Beals, an American journalist and educator and one of the Little Rock Nine. The quote used the full word of a racial slur without using asterisks or blacking out any letters.

Multiple posts on social media identified the teacher as Robert Taylor. Allan Marshall, FSPS chief communications and engagement officer, said the district could not comment on the matter beyond what was released in the statement because it was a personnel matter. Taylor confirmed Thursday that he has been placed on administrative leave and is meeting with human resources on Friday (Feb. 14).

Taylor told Talk Business and Politics that the lesson he was using from “Warriors Don’t Cry” used very sensitive words, which he warned his students of before they started.

“I read the excerpt, but never said the sensitive word. It did remain in the original text. I did not censor that book,” Taylor said.

The questions used in the text were supplied by an artificial intelligence program called Magic School, which Taylor was encouraged to use and taught how to use during professional development, he said.

“Unfortunately, I did not have time to review the questions as I was preparing an additional assignment required by our literacy coordinators on ACT prep. This one was Lyndon Johnson’s Civil Rights Act announcement of 1964. As soon as it was brought to my attention, I removed the question with the sensitive word in it,” Taylor said. “I regret the use of the word in the question, but only tried to provide our teenagers with an idea of how one teen values education, and how much she had to fight to get one.”

Some NHS graduates who were students in Taylor’s past classes came forward Thursday  saying he was racist and unprofessional. Some said they have made complaints about him in the past.

In its statement, FSPS said appropriate steps are being taken to ensure accountability in the matter and that the district will continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and respect.

“Fort Smith Public Schools remain dedicated to fostering an environment where every student and staff feels valued and respected,” the statement said.