Concern over renewed antievolutionism in Ohio persists

[hyphenate]

Concern over renewed antievolutionism in Ohio persists

There is concern again about the resurgence of attempts to undermine the treatment of evolution in the state science standards in Ohio. According to the current science standards for the tenth grade, students are expected to be able to "escribe that scientists may disagree about explanations of phenomena, about interpretation of data or about the value of rival theories, but they do agree that questioning, response to criticism and open communications are integral to the process of science." At a meeting of the state board of education's Achievement Committee on July 10, 2006, Colleen Grady proposed the addition of "Discuss and be able to apply this in the following areas: global warning; evolutionary theory; emerging technologies and how they may impact society, e.g. cloning or stem-cell research."

Grady's proposal was widely regarded as a clear attempt to circumvent the board's February 2006 vote to retract a controversial model lesson plan and to remove the indicator on which it was based from the standards; the indicator, which called for students to be able to "describe how scientists continue to investigate and critically analyze aspects of evolutionary theory," was generally criticized as providing a pretext for instilling scientifically unwarranted doubts about evolution. The Columbus Dispatch reported (July 11, 2006), "Education Department staff will put Grady's proposal into draft form for consideration at the board's September meeting. It is not clear whether there is enough support among committee members to recommend any proposal to the full board."

Now that the September 11, 2006, meeting of the board is imminent, the Campaign to Defend the Constitution is urging supporters of the integrity of science education to lobby school board members to reject Grady's proposal should it be introduced. The Toledo Blade (September 7, 2006) reported that during a teleconference on September 6, 2006, members of the Campaign described the proposal as "a Trojan horse carrying religion into the science curriculum." The Blade added, "Patricia Princehouse, a lecturer in philosophy and evolutionary biology at Case Western Reserve University, who joined the Campaign to Defend the Constitution group, said treating evolution and other topics as though they are somehow different from the rest of science is a way to sneak creationism back into the science curriculum."

A spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Education told the Blade that no specific topics would be mentioned in a draft of the proposal, and the Akron Beacon Journal reported (September 7, 2006), "The nine-page document itself is evolutionary. Earlier this year, a proposal was to encourage debate of specific issues: Evolution, global warming and stem cell research. Now, it encourages students to conduct research and have open discussion in the classroom." Nevertheless, board member Martha Wise commented that the proposal "is a lot of gobbledygook -- it's just another wedge into the teaching of ID in science classes." Lawrence Krauss of Case Western Reserve University worried, "When they teach history, are they going to say some people say the Holocaust never happened?"


http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/news/2006/OH/19_concern_over_renewed_antievolu_9_7_2006.asp

The article is not much longer, but specifically mentions one district in Ohio where an anti-evolutionist is being challenged by 3 people, 1 of which is highly recommended by the pro-science-education coalition Help Ohio Public Education.

[RethugAssKicker]

1. How many states now have anti-evolution laws

passed by certain Counties?

[hyphenate]

2. I don't know

But I will bet it's still very small a number. Pennsylvania was one where there was a recent threat, but it was a conservative judge, John Jones, who shut down the measure. He made it clear that he knew that ID was just being used as a way to reintroduce creationism into the curricula, and he said, "uh, uh."

Kansas was also fairly recent, but the pro-ID and creationists on the school board were essentially fired, and more evolution oriented people took their place. Kansans obviously don't like being the butt of a joke about teaching ignorance such as creationism in high school, no matter what kind of religion they follow. Even they know that lack of knowledge is the one thing that keeps the ignorant at poverty level, while academic excellence helps them rise abouve circumstances.

Ohio, as we've seen since 2004, follows fundies, Bush, Diebold and other slack-assed lamers all the way. And Kenneth Blackwell makes sure that that side gets the votes and attention. All we can hope is that he's outta there soon.

[eppur_se_muova]

3. Kudos to all those in OH battling this sneak attack.

The forces of regression in OH just don't want to give up. Some of the Rethugs are going to jail, but not nearly enough.

kicking for more attention

[mainegreen]

4. What the hell is wrong with Ohio?

Seriously, is the pit to hell in Ohio? Is that why all the evil repukes and religious nutjobs seem to get so crazy there?

[Bill McBlueState]

5. they're about to get a Democratic governor

Maybe the nutjobs are flailing in desperation as they lose control.