looks like dorothy will have to learn intelligent design

[rakuenso]

Times UK

 

Kansas schools take step against evolution

By Sam Knight and agencies

 

Teachers in Kansas will have to spell out specific objections to Darwin's theory of evolution under a new set of teaching guidelines approved in the midwestern heartland state last night.

 

In a major success for proponents of "intelligent design" and other creationist theories of evolution, the Republican-dominated Kansas Board of Education ruled by six votes to four that, from 2008, teachers will have to give reasons why Darwinism is just one of many theories to explain the origins of life.

 

Until yesterday, Kansas had allowed teachers to take issue with the theory of evolution. Now they will be forced to do so, using an official list of perceived weaknesses in Darwin's theory.

 

Kansas has a history of defying evolution. Notoriously, in 1999, the state deleted most references to evolution in the science standards, a decision that was substantially reversed in 2001.

 

Critics of the new science standards say that that all the objections listed in them derive from "intelligent design" (known as "ID"), a theory that maintains that the life is irreducibly complex and must have been created by a higher power.

 

"All the arguments inserted in the standards are only found in the literature of intelligent design," said Jack Krebs, a high school maths teacher and vice president of Kansas Citizens for Science, which opposes the change. "Teaching the criticisms is teaching ID."

 

Eugenie Scott, director of the National Center for Science Education, said that the tactic used by the creationist lobby in Kansas - to portray criticism of evolution as part of encouraging diversity of thought - is likely to imitated in other parts of America. In August, President Bush endorsed teaching intelligent design alongside evolution.

 

"This action is likely to be the playbook for creationism for the next several years," said Mr Scott. "We can predict this fight happening elsewhere."

 

But supporters of the new regulations say they will lead to open discussions. "We are being very brave. We are brave enough to have all areas discussed," said Kathy Martin, a Republican member of the school board who voted for the change. "Students will be informed and not indoctrinated."

 

The Discovery Institute, a conservative think tank, said that the new science standards in Kansas will led to a fuller understanding of evolution. "Under these standards students will learn more about evolution not less as some Darwinists have falsely claimed," said a spokesman for the institute.

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,11069-1865033,00.html

[Tetrahedrite]

tick, tick, tick...... and the American midwest slowly advances towards a state ruled by rediculous religious fundamentalist ideals......

[Mokele]

Eh, it won't last. They did this before, remember? And they *immediately* reversed the decision when, all of a sudden, for *some reason* colleges started treating Kansas applicants like they were plague carriers.

[silkworm]

This doesn't accurately represent the majority of Kansans, and I'd also like to mention that scientific illiteracy is not exclusive to the midwest.

 

tick, tick, tick...... and the American midwest slowly advances towards a state ruled by rediculous religious fundamentalist ideals......

 

As opposed to the federal government I suppose. At least they claim to be funding NASA.

 

This probably got through due to lobbying. I don't think very many of these people (politicians, boardmembers) actually believe in what they're doing, just that some wealthy people feel mortal or guilty or both and have money. All ID supporters will get sent home at reelection. We're not happy about this and the guy they chose to be their leader.