Education panel stalls curriculum vote for creationism appeal [S. Carolina, another Kansas?]

MyrtleBeachOnline ^ | 14 December 2005 | Staff

[PatrickHenry]

An education oversight panel has put off a final recommendation on the state's biology teaching standards at the urging of a state senator who wants alternatives to evolution - including creationism - taught in classrooms.

The Education Oversight Committee voted Monday to recommend approval of the state's biology content standards, but by an 8-7 vote, the panel removed for further study the wording that deals with teaching evolution.

The committee plans to put together a panel of scientists and science teachers to advise committee members on the biology standards dealing with evolution, JoAnne Anderson, the committee's executive director, said Tuesday.

State Sen. Mike Fair, a panel member, wants the education department to change the standards to encourage teaching alternatives to the theory of evolution. Fair, R-Greenville, also has proposed a bill that would give lawmakers more say on biology curriculum.

The Education Department writes standards teachers must follow in designing their daily lessons. The State Board of Education must give those standards final approval. The Education Oversight Committee can recommend the board approve or reject those standards.

The head attorney for the state Department of Education said he didn't think committee members are authorized to change the standards.

"This is unprecedented," attorney Dale Stuckey said. "It's my interpretation of the law that [EOC members] have no authority to change the standards."

Anderson said Tuesday that is not the committee's intent. The committee issued a news release clarifying that it does not have the authority to revise content standards.

"We are asking our colleagues at the State Department of Education for recommendations of individuals from the science community who can assist the committee in bringing about a resolution."

Fair said he wants to encourage "critical analysis of a controversial subject in the classroom."

State Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum, a Democrat, said Fair was trying to derail teaching standard revisions she said have wide support in academia. The agency recently conducted a yearlong review of key subjects and basic knowledge all science teachers in public schools must teach.

Current biology curriculum includes Charles Darwin's 19th century theory that life evolved over millions of years from simple cells that adapted to their environment. Creationism relies on the biblical explanation that mankind's origin is the result of a divine action.

In November, the S.C. Board of Education approved changes to science standards some teachers said needed clarification. The oversight committee put off voting on the rules in October to give Fair more time to lobby education officials.

Karen Floyd, a Republican candidate for state education superintendent, has said she will encourage the teaching of intelligent design.

Rep. Bob Walker, R-Spartanburg, said he supports Fair's efforts because "there are other ideas that can be addressed as to how this world came about."

One school official, Lexington-Richland 5 science supervisor Kitty Farnell, said the committee's questioning of educators' work sets "a terrible example for our students."

"It's an embarrassment," she said.

[orionblamblam]

> You dismissed a theory, creationism, out of hand

Creationism is *not* a theory. It doesn't even come close to fitting the definition.

[Madeleine Ward]

Is quantum physics a science?

If so, then somebody needs to tell some quantum physicists I have read that they better quit mentioning things like intelligence.

[CarolinaGuitarman]

" Hardly. You dismissed a theory, creationism, out of hand, merely because _you_ don't deem it scientific."

Not out of hand. I have extensively examined it and found it totally lacking.

" You declared the discussio over before it began. That's a characteristic of liars. You are one of them."

Where did I lie? This should be good.

[farmer18th]

Creationism is *not* a theory.

Two men see a working clock, nailed to a tree in the forest. One man theorizes, "perhaps someone put it there." Another says, "that is not a scientific theory! I won't even discuss it! It doesn't qualify!"

That's the road you are trodding...

[CarolinaGuitarman]

I am sure it was the best argument he had. I feel sorry for him.

[farmer18th]

Where did I lie? This should be good.

Conscience bothering you? This is a good sign. You lied because you have declared yourself the final arbiter--and you know--internally--that isn't true to yourself or anyone else.

[Doctor Stochastic]

Note that Cotton Mather was a notorious witch-hunter. The Creationists do really wish to re-convene the Salem Witch Trials. I'd trust the moral compass of a gorilla to that of a Cottom Mather.

[CarolinaGuitarman]

" Conscience bothering you?"

No. :)

"You lied because you have declared yourself the final arbiter--and you know--internally--that isn't true to yourself or anyone else."

No I didn't. :)

Now, please tell us the problems with evolution. Your ranting is already tiresome.

[farmer18th]

Everybody has an unnamed *expert* they can trot out, or a genius uncle.

..in this case, an old distinguished professor who doesn't have much fight left him and doesn't want his family dragged through the mud of an "academic" senate ridiculing him for speaking his mind. It says a lot about the civility--and breadth of mind--of the pro evolution crowd.

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

Science is not opinion based like other subjects.

So then they should shut up.

[unlearner]

I think they need to start including philosophy of science in grade school science classes.

Obviously not many people understand the nature of science and its limitations.

Like some of the evolution proponents around here who claim evolution is a fact.

Amazing that people can get graduate degrees in science and still do not know what science is.

[RadioAstronomer]

Karen Floyd, a Republican candidate for state education superintendent, has said she will encourage the teaching of intelligent design.

This is sure making the Republican Party look bad. Sigh.

[orionblamblam]

> You would prefer the moral compass of a teacher who claims gorillas in the family tree?

"I would rather be descended from an ape than a bishop."

Whether or not someone acknowledges who their blood relatives are doesn't change who their blood relatives are.

[farmer18th]

Note that Cotton Mather was a notorious witch-hunter.

Tisk. Even academic historians admit there were witches in Salem by the participants' own definition. (Try to make a distinction between the witches you think of as fairy tales and the people throughout history who have self-described themselves as witches.)

You should have some sympathy for Mather, anway. Pro-evolutionists look very much like witch hunters.

[RadioAstronomer]

now that you don't mind both theories being examined

Sorry to bust your bubble, but ID and creationism are not scientific theories.

[orionblamblam]

> That's the road you are trodding...


Ahhh..... no. You clearly do not even know what "theorize" means. "Guess" is not equivalent.

[MHalblaub]

"You dismissed a theory, creationism, out of hand, merely because _you_ don't deem it scientific. You declared the discussio over before it began. That's a characteristic of liars. You are one of them."

ID or creationism is neither a scientific theory nor a hypothesis it's just a idea or a guess. Please inform yourself before you claim something like that: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory
Especially look at the chapter "Characteristics"

[RadioAstronomer]

If so, then somebody needs to tell some quantum physicists I have read that they better quit mentioning things like intelligence.

Care to cite any sources (peer reviewed of course) that show physicists support ID?

[CarolinaGuitarman]

".in this case, an old distinguished professor who doesn't have much fight left him and doesn't want his family dragged through the mud of an "academic" senate ridiculing him for speaking his mind."

Then maybe YOU can present some of the arguments he had. Or maybe some of your own.

"It says a lot about the civility--and breadth of mind--of the pro evolution crowd."

You don't REALLY want to talk about civility now, do you? :)

[VadeRetro]

Anything some YEC doesn't like is a controversy that must be taught in science class. Be glad the YECs don't object to the Earth being round.