Topeka, Kan. – The state board of education on Tuesday approved curriculum standards that question evolution and redefine science to include concepts other than natural explanations.
The board, in a 6-4 vote, recommended that schools teach the “considerable scientific and public controversy” surrounding the origin of life – a dispute most scientists contend exists only among creationists.
National science groups opposed the measure, and critics contend it is an effort to inject religion into the classroom.
But its advocates say they are only interested in improving science.
“This is a great day for Kansas,” board president Steve Abrams said. “This absolutely raises science standards.”
The dissenters noted that some board members who backed the standards have been outspoken about their faith and have criticized evolution for being offensive to Christianity.
“I’m certainly not here to change anyone’s faith, but I wish you were not changing science to fit your faith,” board member Carol Rupe said to Abrams.
Added member Janet Waugh: “We’re becoming a laughingstock, not only of the nation but of the world.”
Tuesday’s vote makes Kansas the fifth state to adopt standards that cast doubt on evolution. A trial is underway in Pennsylvania over whether teaching intelligent design – a concept that holds life is too complex to have evolved naturally – violates the U.S. Constitution’s ban on state promotion of religion.
The National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Teachers Association – two groups whose material makes up the backbone of Kansas’ science standards – told the state in advance that they would revoke copyright privileges if the new standards were approved; the board said that its lawyers would rewrite the document to avoid any violation of the law.
The standards approved Tuesday are not binding on local school districts, but the standards are the basis for statewide testing.
Intelligent-design advocates were ebullient Tuesday. “It’s very significant for the students of Kansas,” said Casey Luskin of the Discovery Institute, a Seattle think tank. “Instead of just the evidence that supports evolution, they’re going to see all sides.”
Ohio, Minnesota, New Mexico and Pennsylvania have adopted standards that encourage questioning of evolution by local school districts.
This is not the first time Kansas has altered its standards to move away from teaching evolution.
In 1999, the state approved standards that eliminated all references to evolution. Kansas became the butt of jokes on late-night television, the conservative majority on the board was swept out of office in the 2000 elections, and the anti-evolution standards were repealed.
But religious conservatives recaptured control of the education board last fall amid a statewide campaign against gay marriage, and they quickly went to work on the new science standards.
This time, the standards make a nod to evolution. But they contend that several aspects of evolution that most scientists believe are settled fact, such as the concept that all living things are biologically related, have been “challenged.”
They also redefine science to allow for other explanations of events.
The board majority insisted that “supernatural” explanations would not be discussed in the classroom. “We’re talking about the introduction of peer- reviewed science … not creationism,” said board member Ken Willard.
