Teaching Evolution in the Classroom
A Current EdLog™ News Strand

National Science Teachers Association withholds permissions
NSTA and the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) asks the Kansas State Board of Education (KSBE) to "refrain from referencing or quoting from publications" by the two organizations in the state's science education standards (see statement at http://www.nsta.org/evresources). The KSBE sought copyright permission to use portions of the National Science Education Standards, published by NAS, and Pathways to the Science Standards, published by NSTA, in the Kansas Science Education Standards (KSES). Though it is doubtful that any legal permission is required by the KSBE to reference sources, it is interesting nonetheless... NSTA Express (10/31/05)

To debate or not to debate
Should there be classroom debate regarding evolution and intelligent design? "If the goal of education is to get students to think, then just telling students their doubts about Darwin are wrong is not going to be effective," says Gerald Graff, professor of English and education at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Read further... Inside Higher Ed (9-28-05)

No theory at all
Do recent genetic findings meet with evolution predictions? Is there any justifiable cause to call intelligent design a theory at all? Read on... Seattle Times (9-27-05)

Pennsylvania case underway
A federal court will finally be charged with, in a nutshell, deciding whether or not intelligent design is science or religion. It may also answer questions about how far school can, or should, go in providing information to students regarding alternative views to evolution. The suit, brought by 11 parents who challenged the Dover, PA school district policy of informing students that there are alternatives to evolution, and informing them of a book called Of Pandas and People, could change the manner in which districts approach the issue for years to come. Read more about the case, and to see the text of what Dover teachers were required to read to their students... MSNBC News (9-23-05)

Truth not necessarily at a halfway mark—one side is just plain wrong
At least according to some, insofar as the teaching of intelligent design in a science class is concerned, this is not about two sides of the coin or any such other educationally heartwarming notions. Point? Regardless of belief or its value, if it's a science classroom, no science, no cigar. Read these perspectives... The Guardian (London) (9-1-05)

Science education organization "stunned" by President Bush's comments on intelligent design
Statements made by President Bush endorsing the teaching of intelligent design in science classrooms leaves the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) "stunned and disappointed." Read further, including comments from current NSTA President Mike Padilla, and get links to additional statements on the issue from the American Physical Society (APS), American Geophysical Union (AGU), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Americans United for the Separation of Church and State (AU), American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), and the National Congress on Science Education (NCSE)... NSTA Pressroom (Arlington, VA) (8-3-05)

Under pressure
According to results of a recent email survey conducted by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), almost a third of the science teachers in the country feel pressured to present alternatives to evolution, and almost as many feel pressured to omit or at least de-emphasize evolution... Christian Science Monitor (5-3-05)
For an earlier discussion of the survey data, go to USA TODAY (3-23-05).

 

Want the details? Check this in-depth timeline on events impacting the teaching of evolution in Kansas classrooms. Compiled by John Hannah (Associated Press Writer), February 14, 2007.

 

Spring 2005 -- Bleeding Kansas: Part II The late 1990s saw the first major battle between evolution/anti-evolution camps in Kansas. In 1999, the Kansas State Board of Education removed references to evolution in the Kansas science standards. That move was reversed two years later. Until recently, though few had forgotten, relations among Kansas science stakeholders had regained a certain level of normalcy. Then it came back... The battle between supporters of evolution and intelligent design resurfaced in Kansas following the production of two reports by a 25-member state standards-writing committee charged with the development of a new set of state standards. One report—approved by 17 members of the committee—supported the teaching of evolution in state science classrooms. The other—supported by eight members—de-emphasized and included criticisms of evolution. Read the articles below for a sequential recap of the second phase of the Topeka epic. The articles below focus on the series of events that transpired in Kansas during April and May 2005. A Friday the 13th to remember: Kansas drama comes to a bitter close—for now After three days and 23 witnesses, a Topeka attorney defending evolution, took the podium, laying out a case against the evolution critics. Two hours later he completed a critical charge against anti-evolutionists, and refused to take the stand himself for any cross-examination, saying "I am not a witness. My personal views are irrelevant." The attorney also stated that the hearings were a show for proponents of intelligent design, a waste of taxpayers' money, and that the three conservative board members overseeing the hearing had already decided they would choose the standards criticizing evolution. The Kansas State Board of Education is expected to make a decision on the new science standards in the summer of 2005... Journal-World (Lawrence, Kansas) (5-13-05) Darwin critics lead off debate The Kansas Board of Education subcommittee hears testimony for supporters of intelligent design. Gaps in "evolution" are their focus. Read on... Journal-World (Lawrence, Kansas) (5-6-05) Enter the Circle of Life. As Timon would say, "It starts..." Today the hearings begin, as the Kansas State Board of Education begins to note views about whether or not alternative theories to evolution (a.k.a. intelligent design) should be presented in Kansas science classrooms. At stake? At least initially, there is an expectation that the school board's 6-to-4 anti-evolution majority will not accept the new science standards as they stand, but rather mandate that the state adopt standards that require students to be taught about both "sides" of the controversy... Journal-World (Lawrence, Kansas) (5-5-05) Thou shalt play by the rules Kansas Board of Education establishes ground rules for upcoming hearings regarding treatment of evolution and intelligent design in new state science standards. Game plan? May 5-7 supporters of intelligent design will testify, on May 12-14 supporters of evolution will testify. But wait, there's more... Journal-World (Lawrence, Kansas) (4-20-05)

 

Unintelligent me
Read Jay Mathews for a humorous take on the evolution v. ID struggle... Washington Post (4-5-05)

April Fools!!
Scientific American apologizes for its negligent disdain of intelligent design and its unfounded support of evolution throughout the years. Read Okay, We Give Up: We feel so ashamed... Scientific American (4-1-05)

Kansas plans hearings
The Kansas State Board of Education will hold six days of hearings in May to determine whether the state's science standards comply with an unofficial amendment to NCLB—to expose students to the full range of scientific views on controversial areas, such as biological evolution... USA TODAY/Associated Press (3-8-05)

Kansas SBOE not thrilled by new science standards draft
Eight members of the Kansas State Board of Education claim the new standards discourage critical analysis of evolutionary theory. Reviews to come... Lawrence Journal-World (12-15-04)

An intelligent Kansas push?
As of next month, the Kansas State Board of Education will lean right—six of 10 members will be conservative, and three vow to ensure that intelligent design is included in the state's new science standards... Lawrence Journal-World (12-14-04)

Gallup poll shows only 35% strongly believe that Darwin's theory of evolution is supported by evidence
So, this means that people believe intelligent design should be taught in schools? Some do, others do not... San Francisco Chronicle (11/30/04)

A mandate for intelligent design?
Dover, Pennsylvania is now the first district in the nation to require teaching of intelligent design in science classes. Scientists are opposed to including creation theories in fact-based science curricula. Read about both strangely unscientific views... The Christian Science Monitor (11-23-04)

Going public... Intelligent design supporters take different tact
Is it science or misuse of science? Ohio is becoming a major testing ground for what some evolution proponents consider simply a new media ploy to include creationism in classrooms... Wired (October 2004)

Georgia debate over evolution disclaimers goes to trial
Calling a theory a theory may be illegal? Placing stickers inside the front cover of science textbooks saying evolution is "a theory, not a fact" may not be allowed to continue. But we'll see. Plaintiffs contend that, inconspicuous or not, the disclaimers promote the teaching of creationism and intelligent design... MSNBC News/Associated Press (4-6-04)

Native son of Ohio, and president of the ASCB, speaks out
The president of the American Society for Cell Biology and native Ohioan Harvey Lodish calls on Ohio education leaders to reject anti-evolution lesson plans. "The inclusion of 'Creation Science' in lesson plans in the state of Ohio will damage the reputation and the economy of the state far beyond the classroom," Lodish writes... Newswise (Charlottesville) (2-25-04)

Disputed lesson plan thrusts Ohio back into the fray
The Ohio State Board of Education votes 13-4 in favor of adopting the "Critical Analysis of Evolution" 10th grade lesson that many claim effectively puts intelligent design back in Ohio classrooms. Supporters say it has nothing to do with intelligent design... The Marion Star (Marion) (2-11-04)

Georgia heating up -- Carter speaks out
The draft of the new state standards is not yet a completed affair. Read what former President Jimmy Carter has to say about the decision... NSTA Express (Arlington) (2-02-04)

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