According to Newsweek, a high school in Texas is facing criticism over a writing project about a “hero for the modern age” that listed accused double murderer Kyle Rittenhouse among individuals to consider.

The teenager, who was charged with killing two people and injuring another during protests against the police shooting of a black man in Wisconsin in August, was named alongside civil rights campaigner Malcolm X and anti-colonial protester Mahatma Gandhi for the assignment.

Also on the list were César Chávez, the Latino American civil rights activist, George Floyd, whose death sparked a global wave of anti-racism and police brutality protests, and Joseph Rosenbaum, one of the two protesters Rittenhouse is accused of killing.

A relative of one student at the school told a local news station that she was “shocked not only about the inclusion of Rittenhouse but a lack of women on the list,” Newsweek wrote, while “Others described the assignment as ‘appalling and unacceptable.’"

The Dallas Independent School District said through a spokesperson that the assignment, posted in a Google Classroom, was unapproved and removed after the district was made aware.

"Understandably, this caused some concern for the impacted students, and we apologize. Campus administration immediately removed the unapproved content and students are not required to complete that assignment.

"Due to personnel policies, we are not able to comment further, however, the appropriate steps are being followed pending investigation.

"Racial equity is a top priority in Dallas ISD, and we remain committed to providing a robust teaching environment where all students can learn.

The spokesperson concluded: "It is important that we continue to be culturally sensitive to our diverse populations and provide a space of respect and value."

Read the full report.