 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
Click here
|
Georgia School Board Ponders Creationism 9/12/2002 Cobb County School Board unanimously approves of creation science being taught as alternative theory. Final vote scheduled for September 26. The Cobb County, Georgia, School Board unanimously voted on August 22 to “tentatively” approve a policy that would permit creation science to be taught as an alternative theory of origin in the classroom. The proposed policy reads in part:
“The Cobb County School District believes that discussion of disputed views of academic subjects is a necessary element of providing a balanced education, including the study of the origin of the species. This subject remains an area of intense interest, research, and discussion among scholars. As a result, the study of this subject shall be handled in accordance with this policy and with objectivity and good judgment on the part of teachers, taking into account the age and maturity level of their students.”
“Students deserve to hear both sides of the debate and then decide for themselves what is truth,” Tanya Ditty, Concerned Women for America of Georgia state director, said. “We should be equipping our students to develop the skills they need to explore the validity of a scientific theory. The theory of evolution and creation science are debated at the highest levels; kids should be exposed to both sides of the debate.”
The proposal is the latest attempt of the school board to address the theories of origin question. In 1996, three families in Cobb County, the second largest school district in Georgia, asked that the board remove a chapter that discussed the age and formation of the universe from its fourth-grade science textbooks. Last March, after it was presented with a petition containing more than 2300 signatures, the board adopted a disclaimer for the county’s biology textbooks that said:
“This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered.”
In response, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) challenged the disclaimer in U.S. District Court, arguing that it is a “fundamentalist Christian expression” that unconstitutionally forces religion on students in the public schools. The group has said it will fight the new policy as well.
However, the decision of Cobb County School Board to teach creationism in addition to evolution underscores their goal of providing students with a balanced education that consists of debates over disputed scientific theories. So why do opponents such as the ACLU react so negatively?
“The fact [is] that by allowing creation science to be taught in the classroom, you’re rocking the foundation of the Darwinian evolutionary theory,” Ditty said.
Ditty has sent letters to the school board and Superintendent Joseph Redden urging them to uphold the initial vote for creation science in the classroom. She and other CWA members in Cobb County sent newsletters to 700 residents across the state. The final vote is scheduled for September 26 and will most likely influence what other school districts decide regarding their curriculum.
“The decision made by the board members will set the standard for academic freedom and balance in the curriculum,” Ditty said.
For more information on how you can get involved, go to http://states.cwfa.org/georgia/cwa_georgia_cobb.shtml.
CWA of Georgia, along with the American Family Association and Eagle Forum, is sponsoring a seminar on Intelligent Design, scheduled for September 15, 2002. For more information, go to http://states.cwfa.org/georgia/cwa_georgia_creation_rally.shtml.
|
|
Concerned Women for America 1015 Fifteenth St. N.W., Suite 1100 Washington, D.C. 20005 Phone: (202) 488-7000 Fax: (202) 488-0806 |
Feedback / Questions? || Problem with this page? || Archives
