Posted on 02/27/2004 5:55:40 PM PST by Coleus
February 26, 2004
Darwinism to Face Scrutiny
by Sonja Swiatkiewicz, state issues analyst
Ohio and Minnesota have the opportunity to make a difference in how Darwinism is taught to schoolchildren.
Ohio made history in December 2002 when its state Board of Education approved changes to public school science standards requiring students to be tested on their understanding of evidence for and against Darwinism.
Just over a year later, Ohio again stands at a crossroads of sorts, while its school board seeks to establish a model curriculum to implement 2002's changes. Minnesota, likewise, has come to a place of decision — whether or not to follow in Ohio's footsteps in the teaching of Darwinism.
The Ohio school board voted 13-4 on Feb. 10 in a preliminary vote to accept "Set A" of the model science curriculum -- the curriculum that will be sent to each district to guide teachers in how the new science standards should be implemented in the classroom. "Set A" includes 42 individual lessons that deal with potentially "controversial" topics; nine of them (those slated for grade 10 life sciences) discuss evolutionary theory.
Only one of the 42, however, seeks to include the "critical analysis" of Darwinism that is now required to be taught — and that's where the rubber meets the road.
Fiercely protective pro-Darwinists are attempting to derail the new science standards before kids in the classroom ever reap the benefits of this dramatic change in policy. Critics have claimed that the "Critical Analysis of Evolution" lesson mandates the teaching of Intelligent Design.
In fact, the "Critical Analysis" lesson supports the new requirement that students be able to "describe how scientists continue to investigate and critically analyze aspects of evolutionary theory." Students will be taught that theories are tentative explanations that are subject to modification as continued experimentation demands; the differences between microevolution and macroevolution; and guided to examine the various lines of evidence for and against the theory of a common ancestry (macroevolution).
While the board had already indicated its support of "Set A" in its entirety, Darwinists are applying pressure to the board members to convince them to remove their support. A final, binding vote will be taken during the board's meeting March 8-9.
A few states away, Minnesota's Legislature is grappling with making initial changes to the state's science standards. Four members of the science standard writing committee have submitted a "minority" report, urging the Legislature to accept two standards that mirror Ohio's.
These two standards will lay the groundwork for Minnesota's schoolchildren to be taught critical analysis of evolution — which has been specifically encouraged by the No Child Left Behind Act conference report.
But first, the "minority report" must be accepted into the recommendations to be sent to the full House and Senate.
Those who support a balanced presentation of Darwinism, the evidence for and against macroevolution, must make their voices heard. The type of science education Ohio and Minnesota's kids receive is dependent on board members and legislators knowing concerned citizens care about the unbiased teaching of evolution.
TAKE ACTION
Ohio
Please contact the board members who voted in favor of the "Set A" curriculum to thank them for their support and encourage them to vote in favor of "Set A" on Mar. 8 or 9. Please contact them by March 5.
Richard E. Baker (Hollansburg), 937-548-2246
Virgil E. Brown, Jr. (Cleveland Heights), 216-851-3304, Virgil.Brown@ode.state.oh.us
Michael Cochran (Blacklick), 614-864-2338, ota@ohiotownships.org
Jim Craig (Canton), 330-492-5533, Jim.Craig@ode.state.oh.us
John W. Griffin (West Carrollton), P.O. Box 49201, West Carrollton, OH 45449-0201
Stephen M. Millett (Columbus), 614-424-5335
Deborah Owens Fink (Richfield), 330-972-8079, deb@uakron.edu
Emerson J. Ross, Jr. (Toledo), 419-248-8315
Jennifer L. Sheets (Pomeroy), 740-992-2151, Jennifer.Sheets@ode.state.oh.us
Jo Ann Thatcher (McDermott), 740-858-3300
James L. Turner (Cincinatti), 513-287-3232, jturner@cinergy.com
Sue Westendorf (Bowling Green), 419-352-2908, sue.westendo@ode.state.oh.us
Carl Wick (Centerville), 937-433-1352, carl.wick@ode.state.oh.us
Please politely urge the four board members who voted against "Set A" to reconsider and vote in support. Please contact them by Mar. 5.
Robin C. Hovis (Millersburg), 330-674-5000, Robin.Hovis@ode.state.oh.us
Cyrus B. Richardson, Jr. (Bethel), 513-734-6700, Cyrus.Richards@ode.state.oh.us
G.R. "Sam" Schloemer (Cincinnati), 513-821-4145, Sam.Schloemer@ode.state.oh.us
Jennifer Stewart (Zanesville), 740-452-4558, Jennifer.Stewart@ode.state.oh.us
Two members were absent for the Feb. 10 meeting, and should be politely contacted as well.
Virginia E. Jacobs (Lima), 419-999-4219, Virginia.Jacobs@ode.state.oh.us
Martha W. Wise (Avon) 440-934-4935, Martha.Wise@doe.state.oh.us
In addition, please contact Gov. Bob Taft and tell him you support the teaching of critical analysis of evolution. For contact information for Gov. Taft, visit our CitizenLink Action Center.
Minnesota
Please contact the chairpersons of the House and Senate Education Policy Committees, Rep. Barbara Sykora and Sen. Steve Kelley, and urge them to accept the "minority report."
In addition, please contact your own representative and senator and politely urge them to support the critical analysis of evolution when it comes to a vote.
Also, please contact Gov. Tim Pawlenty and urge his support for teaching the evidence for and against evolution. Contact information for Gov. Pawlenty is available through our CitizenLink Action Center.
I will not give your question undeserved credibility by debating it.
The relevance to society of scientific and mathematical theories such a Relativity, Evolution, String, and Phlogiston have absolutely nothing to do with their scientific validity.
You do not understand this and you never will. You brain is not capable of separating rational facts from gut emotions.
Look at this way.
The creationist accept gravity not because gravity is logical but because when the apple hits their head it hurts. Pain evokes emotion. Emotion is something they can deal with.
The same guy -- Fester Chugabrew -- asked the same question in a different thread and he was answered: at post 30. I've given another answer in that same thread to yet another creationist: at post 273.
You are witnessing a creationist technique we've termed "aggressive amnesia."
Well, you see, he cannot discount the Theory of Evolution on factual grounds, so he takes the stance, "yeah, well, it doesn't have a practical benefit so we shouldn't be teaching it to the kids."
Fine. I hope you don't mind if some of us have a good snicker while you doggedly defend a theory that you believe to has no relevance to mankind. Not sure why you brought all those other theories in there, though, since they have little or nothing to do with this thread.
That was no answer at all. The Biotech industry is not giving us benefits due solely to the Theory of Evolution. The article you linked does not even mention it. Do you really think everyone in the biotech industry subscribes to the Theory of Evoluton?
I think you are giving them too much credit. Aggressive amnesia would imply that they know what they are doing. I do not believe that they are capable of knowing anything other than that which is filtered through their emotions.
God will forgive them for they know not what they do.
I don't mind at all. One does not get upset when three year old kids make potty jokes. One just understands that three year old kids have not reached the age of reason.
The computer industry is not giving us benefits due solely to the Theory of Electricity either. Your point? BTW, there are two current threads dealing with the practical use of evolution. Of course, since you blank out between threads (or maybe "compartmentalize") you probably already know that but choose to ignore it.
Well, you can't run a computer without electricity, but you can live life to it's fullest without the slightest notions about evolution. You dig?
And that is precisely why Darwinism will continue to face scrutiny in Ohio and Minnesota. Because it's defenders are like three year old kids who cannot face truth.
I forgot about that. Thanks for letting me know. Are you trying to promote enlightenment?
I'm sorry. Who was it that brought up the subject of electricity?
Whenever you see Evolution Theory called Darwinism, you know that there is a Crevo Crapper around.
Thus we come full circle back to my original post on this thread. LOL
Yeah. Whatever. I didn't write the title for this thread. Feel free to puff yourself up with your inspired triumph over emotion.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.