http://www.kotv.com/main/home/stories.a ... 1&id=98793OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A state House committee Monday joined the growing debate over the teaching of evolution when they gave their blessing to the Academic Freedom Act.
[...]
Representative Sally Kern of Oklahoma City says the theory of evolution is taught as if it were fact when it's only a theory. She says the bill's designed to encourage critical thinking about all sides of an issue.
Accordingly, the following House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 1043) has been proposed (reproduced in its entirety, then briefly critiqued below):
AS INTRODUCED
A Concurrent Resolution encouraging the State Board of Education and local boards of education to revise academic curriculum to ensure student success in science; and directing distribution.
WHEREAS, it is essential to the growth of the State of Oklahoma that students in this state are taught to perform independent analysis and evaluation of facts; and
WHEREAS, graduates of this state will be a benefit to society, be better at problem solving, and create a better workplace with these skills; and
WHEREAS, the current education curriculum is blocking students from obtaining critical thinking; and
WHEREAS, Oklahoma students need to be knowledgeable and astute at articulating the pros and cons of subjects taught; and
WHEREAS, the core academic curriculum taught in science in our schools should ensure student success; and
WHEREAS, teaching the use of scientific method to critically evaluate scientific theories including, but not limited to, the theory of evolution is critical to the education of Oklahoma students; and
WHEREAS, teaching the use of relevant scientific data to assess the validity of those theories and to formulate arguments for or against those theories is essential to the success of a student.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 50TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN:
THAT the Legislature encourages the State Board of Education and local boards of education to revise the recommended academic curriculum content standards in science to ensure that, upon graduation, all students can accomplish the following:
1. Use of the scientific method to critically evaluate scientific theories including, but not limited to, the theory of evolution; and
2. Use relevant scientific data to assess the validity of those theories and to formulate arguments for and against those theories.
THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to the State Board of Education.
Okay, little Johnny, please articulate "the pros and cons" of multiplication.Oklahoma students need to be knowledgeable and astute at articulating the pros and cons of subjects taught
Rather than say "evidence for and against," they say "pros and cons." These are entirely different. An example of evidence for evolution would be endogenous retroviral insertions, but a "con" of evolution -- according to some die-hard antievolutionists -- would be that evolution means there's no morality. Such a "con" has absolutely nothing to do with the validity or invalidity of the theory.
Nothing hinders academic success in any biological field quite like gross misrepresentation of evolutionary concepts.the core academic curriculum taught in science in our schools should ensure student success
Critically evaluate all you want; the theory of evolution will hold up brilliantly.teaching the use of scientific method to critically evaluate scientific theories including, but not limited to, the theory of evolution is critical to the education of Oklahoma students
However, if one were to "critically evaluate" the alleged evidence against evolution, that would be a different matter. Notice how these bills all tend to call evolutionary theory into question and encourage critical analysis of the theory, but it doesn't say one word about critical analysis of the alternatives (which are most certainly not theories).
See above. There is no data that threatens the validity of evolutionary theory.teaching the use of relevant scientific data to assess the validity of those theories and to formulate arguments for or against those theories is essential to the success of a student
I trust every new Oklahoma graduate will be able to formulate arguments against gravitational theory, germ theory of disease, and the general theory of relativity.1. Use of the scientific method to critically evaluate scientific theories including, but not limited to, the theory of evolution; and
2. Use relevant scientific data to assess the validity of those theories and to formulate arguments for and against those theories.
This is why democracy doesn't always work. Let's hope that the OK BoE knows better than the legislature.
ETA: Then again, I don't have much hope. Here are some quotes from articles concerning district school board elections in the state of Oklahoma:
http://www.normantranscript.com/localne ... _044002824Q: Are you in favor of scientific textbook disclaimers, i.e., disclaiming Darwin's Theory?
DB: It depends upon what the disclaimer pertains to. A theory is a guess and when properly presented there is no need to disclaim a person's guess. If a textbook should try to present a theory as fact maybe a disclaimer would be needed.
DY: Yes.
http://www.normantranscript.com/localne ... ndarystoryBeing a Christian, Meek said he believes in any faith-based initiatives. He would push for Intelligent Design as a part of district curriculum, saying he had been an advocate of it for many years. He added input from administrators, patrons and other board members also is important to take into consideration when making curriculum decisions. [emphasis added]