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Storms Grilled On Evolution Bill

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By RUSSELL RAY

The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 18, 2008

Updated: 04/18/2008 12:15 am

TALLAHASSEE - She was asked again and again, but some state senators weren't satisfied with the answer from Sen. Ronda Storms, the author of a bill some say would allow public school teachers to include creationism or intelligent design in their lesson plan.

Four times she was asked: Would teachers be allowed under her bill to teach intelligent design, a theory that suggests an "intelligent cause" is responsible for the creation of the universe.

Each time, the Republican senator from Valrico turned to the language in her bill and said teachers and students would be allowed to present "scientific information relevant to the full range of scientific views regarding biological and chemical evolution."

That didn't appease Senate Minority Leader Steve Geller, who was looking for a yes or no answer.

"You've given us criteria," Geller, of Hallandale Beach, told Storms. "I don't want to know the criteria."

Geller asked Storms if she thinks intelligent design meets the criteria of her bill.

"I absolutely believe that evolution should be taught in public schools," Storms said. "I also believe that we should teach the full range of the critical analysis of evolution."

Storms' bill, SB 2692, is a response to the state Board of Education's decision in January to require, for the first time in state history, the teaching of Darwin's theory of evolution in public schools.

Religious groups and some lawmakers were disappointed in the board's decision. Storms introduced the bill, known as the Academic Freedom Act, after the board's decision.

Storms said the bill would allow teachers to offer students a full range of scientific-based theories without fearing discrimination or discipline from department heads and principals.

"They fear discipline and ridicule," Storms said Thursday. "As a teacher myself, I want to promote critical thinking skills. I'm not trying to teach people what to think."

The bill would provide science teachers First Amendment protection, Storms said.

Sen. Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton, said the same free speech protection should be extended to Florida's sex education teachers and attempted to add it to Storms' bill with an amendment.

"A teacher may wish to answer a student's question and provide additional information that may protect a life or stop an unwanted pregnancy," Deutch said.

But Storms said the amendment would expose kids in kindergarten to sex education.

"I'm concerned about prematurely deflowering kindergarteners and first- and second-graders," she said.

The amendment was defeated in a voice vote.

The Senate is scheduled to vote on Storms' bill next week. A similar bill is alive in the House, working its way through committee.

Reporter Russell Ray can be reached at (850) 222-8382 or rray@tampatrib.com.

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