A challenge:
If we threw out all of the topics that are currently taught in science class, and only taught ID, what would be taught? Attack evolution? It doesn't exist anymore, it isn't taught. Attack the big bang? It isn't taught anymore either. So without these other topics around to attack, what does ID actually explain? What advancements could be made by understanding ID?
Is ID capable of standing on its own?
No. ID exponents actually admit this. That's what the whole "teach the controversy" gambit is about. There's nothing to teach with regard to ID as a positive theory. In fact ID'ers themselves will admit that ID is not a scientific theory at all. It doesn't have any of the crucial features of a theory, most notably an explanatory mechanism or model. That's why it's a "proposal," an "inference," and etc, but never a "theory".