Posted on 12/14/2005 6:23:06 AM PST by 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.
'[ So you DO embrace the logical fallacy that popularity of a belief has a bearing on the validity of that belief. Thanks for clearing that up. :) ]'
"With religion or politic (same thing) that might be true.."
So, you embrace logical fallacies because...what?
In politics, the majority can be wrong. In certain kinds of science the norm is always right.
Meanwhile, we treat the fetus as property. Go figure.
Which one (logical fallacy) are you interested in continuing to assume I support?.. Define logical fallacy in your qualia..
It's gonna take more than that. If you have an error, you need a norm, right? And it doesn't have a single anti-CarolinaGuitarman verse either. Hmmm. How about that!
For a concept of error to exist, what will you do?
"For a concept of error to exist, what will you do?:
Say you are in error?
I answered that.. If you missed it, then you did..
Could be we live in different realitys..
And to be able say I am in error, would that be according to a private or a public criterion?
"That's a start.
And to be able say I am in error, would that be according to a private or a public criterion?"
Public. And you are making no sense. Put down bottle.
Both religion and politic are a compendium of popular politically correct opinion, unless both are boguarded by a dictator(of various types). Even with a "change" in religion or government(revolution) its same in another venue.. Whether right or wrong, valid / invalid.. People get what they deserve.. and are willing to live under..
Religion and politic is NEVER invalid.. or fallacious, logical or not.. Thats why I choose to live under another Kingdom not of this earth.. No fallacy there.. I'm a visitor and alien here.. And am grateful when treated well..
My King and father WILL NOT be happy if that is not so.. The citizens of this place are being WATCHED and recorded.. I prefer to not defame their choices.. They will and must live with them.. and have a perfect RIGHT to be WRONG..
Millions of UFO abductees, who have been the victims of cruel, other-worldly anal probes, can't be wrong! Teach the controversy!
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Democracy is a real thorn in the flesh of science. You prefer oligarchy?
Jesus came to make ALL religion obsolete, AND DID..
Basically ALL religion"s" are invalid.. but government is just used the same.. Both are morality police.. No police; chaos begins.. or controlled chaos in some cases.. Not a lot of difference between religion and government, two sides of the same coin..
You are a bit slow aren't you, cool, I'm not too smart either..
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