Posted on 09/01/2003 8:51:13 PM PDT by yonif
WORLAND (AP) -- School board members want theories other than evolution -- such as creationism -- taught in Worland science classes and only sexual abstinence -- not how to use contraceptives -- taught in health classes.
The board voted Tuesday to present the policy changes to the district's Policy Committee for consideration. Over 100 people attended the meeting.
The recommendation for sex education reads: "It shall be the policy of Washakie County School District No. 1, when teaching sex education, the curriculum shall be based on abstinence only."
Also endorsed was a recommendation for teaching biology: "It shall be the policy ... when teaching Darwin's theory of evolution that it is only a theory and not a fact. Teachers shall be allowed in a neutral and objective manner to introduce all scientific theories of origin and the students may be allowed to discuss all aspects of controversy surrounding the lack of scientific evidence in support of the theory of evolution."
Board member Tom Ball, who opened the discussion on the proposed changes, said he thought the evolution recommendation should use the word "required," rather than "allowed."
Several people addressed the board including Pastor Bud Surles who said "evolution is more a product of Hollywood movies than based on real science." He also said the district should teach that "sex is safe only in a heterosexual, monogamous relationship" and that abstinence until marriage should be the message delivered by the district.
Another pastor, Mike Brush, quoted scholars he said "understand the misconception of evolution" and are more inclined to accept the "intelligent shaping of matter."
"Intelligent design is not religious-based. I would not want you to teach religion in any way, shape or form," he said.
Worland High School health instructor Dawn Bellis, who told the board she teaches the "controversial part" of sex education, said she was disappointed no one on the board contacted her, health instructor Jackie Pike or Principal Hal Johnson to find out what was being taught before going about changing policy.
"It seems backward to change a curriculum and policy without knowing what is being taught," she said.
"Sexuality is a three-week portion of my semester's class. Children cannot make decisions without being informed and that includes knowing the consequences of their decisions."
She said her class ultimately is "totally based on abstinence."
High school student Charity Ward told the board she took one of Bellis' classes. She urged the board not to teach "abstinence-only," saying she found it helpful to learn about sexually transmitted diseases and other potential consequences of having sex.
"Without that information I probably would have made bad choices," she said.
Kitsy Barnes, head of the high school science department, said Wyoming teachers are mandated by the state to teach the state science standards.
"Science teachers are prohibited from teaching creationism due to the Supreme Court ruling Edwards v Aquillard, which states that teaching creation science is a religious idea and thus an illegal violation of the church-state separation.
"Science is a way of understanding the world, not a mountain of facts. Before anyone can truly understand scientific information, they must know how science works. Science does not prove anything absolutely -- all scientific ideas are open to revision in the light of new evidence. The process of science, therefore, involves making educated guesses -- hypotheses -- that are then rigorously tested."
School district attorney Bill Shelledly cautioned the board that every time they write a new policy, it is like putting up another lightning rod that can get hit. He held up a blue binder containing the board's policies and said, "I don't want one more page put in this policy book."
Pointing to the crowd, he said, "This is only part of the community. You are elected to represent the entire community."
Three readings by the board are required to approve a policy change.
Not sure which part of this you disagree with. The part that says teachers should present information objectively and neutral, or the part that says students should be allowed to discuss all aspects of controversy.
I am not saying you should or should not believe in the Theory of Evolution, but too many fear letting open discussions occur. Those who feel secure in their beliefs should not fear open and objective discussions about those beliefs. Again, I am not arguing about Evolution, just the idea that there should be something scary about discussing the strong and weak points of the theory (any theory), and any other hypothesis.
As a former science teacher, I did not have a problem with discussions like this...the kids are interested in the arguments for and against, why not let them discuss them?
Actually, see my other post. Anyone who feels secure in his beliefs should not fear open and frank discussions. The kids want to discuss the pros and cons of the Theory of Evolution (I am speaking from experience teaching this subject many years ago), and want to know what other ideas are out there, so why not let them discuss them? Can't imagine any true modern day conservative having a problem with that concept...regardless of whether they belief in the Theory of Evolution or not.
Right, like gravity.
Spies! Spies! Everywhere! Nassssty spies, trying to ssssteal the Precious. Hide in our private thread, we will, yes, gollum, gollum.
And "Spontaneous Generation" instead of "Evolution"
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