MANCHESTER, NH – On Dec. 5, the Manchester School District released a report investigating complaints related to Diversity Equity and Inclusion materials, specifically an exercise called “The Wheel of Power and Privilege.”
Devised by Canadian educator Sylvia Duckworth, The Wheel of Power and Privilege is a visual tool intended to help users acknowledge their own innate societal advantages and disadvantages and build empathy toward those coming from different backgrounds.
Within the report (see below), it was indicated that the instructor that used the materials with eighth-grade McLaughlin Middle School students was unauthorized to do so, as the Wheel of Power and Privilege exercise was meant for staff training and using the exercise violated several district policies. Additionally, the district did not have permission to share the materials with the students.
The investigation creating the report was initiated in May following several right-to-know requests from parents that were made aware of the exercise.
In addition to criticism that the materials were inappropriate for eighth-grade students, there was also criticism that materials were not meant to be shared due to political concerns.
Representatives of the Manchester School District declined to provide further comment beyond the report, citing that it does not make statements regarding matters including personnel.
Of the random students interviewed, one expressed feeling “shame” upon viewing the materials while another said that they liked the lesson and that is “opened their eyes” to things they didn’t think about.