OBOE's critical thinking proposal seen as an attempt to get religion back in the classroom

The Ohio State Board of Education (OBOE) is considering a proposal that requires schools to teach critical thinking in all subject areas. Critics contend the proposal is an attempt to get religion back into the classroom through discussions about alternatives to Darwin’s theory of evolution. Supporters of the proposal argue that Darwin’s theory should be taught as only one disputed explanation for the origin of life. OBOE President Sue Westendorf has indicated the committee will debate but not vote on the proposal. The proposal was drafted to replace a curriculum repealed in February 2006 after a federal court in Pennsylvania ruled that teaching the theory known as "intelligent design" is unconstitutional. The previous curriculum allowed Ohio teachers to question evolution. Ohio has always been a bellwether. "Things are floated in Ohio to see if they work, and if they work, they'll try to get them adopted elsewhere," says Lawrence Krauss, a member of the Campaign to Defend the Constitution, a group opposed to teaching religion in public schools. But John West, senior fellow at the Discovery Institute, which promotes the teaching of intelligent design, applauds the proposal. He contends the proposed policy is "good pedagogy and good for students" because it will teach them how to sift and analyze evidence.

San Diego Union-Tribune
By Andrea Hopkins (Reuters)
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