Florida is poised to explicitly require the teaching of evolution
For the first time in state history, Florida’s science education standards are poised to explicitly require the teaching of evolution. The existing science standards use vague language that requires teaching about “biological changes over time,” a concept loose enough to allow room for intelligent design. At least some folks are quite upset at the change in language, including some employees within the Department of Education. The Florida Citizens for Science blog has posted an email from Charlie Carraway, a department employee and member of the Sopchoppy Southern Baptist Church. She urged fellow Christians to pay attention to the new standards and demand that evolution is presented as nothing more than a theory, one of several. The science standards are being revised as the first step in a total makeover of how science is taught in Florida. The old standards were more numerous and complex. The new standards focus on “big ideas” and developing critical thinking and problem solving abilities. The new standards are likely to be approved at the Board of Education’s February meeting, over the opposition of at least one member.
Palm Beach Post By Stacy singer
[Editor’s Note: The Orlando Sentinel had reported below that Donna Callaway of the State Board of Education has indicated she will oppose the new standards because they do not give teachers leeway to acknowledge other views. Information on long-running controversy on this topic in Kansas is at the second link.]
Orlando Sentinel By Leslie Postal
NSBA School Law pages on Kansas evolution controversy