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Teaching Evolution Debate Takes Center Stage

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The Associated Press

Published: February 18, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Proponents and opponents of adding the term "evolution" to the state's new science standards will confront the State Board of Education on Tuesday before the members are expected to vote on its inclusion.

Florida's existing science standards do not mention evolution by name although they require its teaching, using such code words as "change over time."

The proposed standards, though, refer explicitly to evolution, term it "the fundamental concept underlying all of biology" and require that it be taught in more detail.

Some opponents have urged the board to label evolution as a theory because they believe it conflicts with the biblical account of creation.

One possible compromise that will be considered is placing the words "scientific theory of" before "evolution" in hopes that will satisfy both sides.

Opponent John Stemberger, president and general counsel of the Florida Family Policy Council, an Orlando-based advocacy group, said last week that proposal was a step in the right direction.

It's also fine with many advocates of the standards because scientists routinely refer to evolution as a theory, although the word has a different meaning in their realm than it does in common usage where it is often a synonym for someone's best guess. In science, a theory is an explanation of how something works that is backed up by provable facts.

The new standards also would require higher levels of understanding in all science studies and promote learning through doing experiments and other activities. They also would set more specific benchmarks for students to meet.

A section on the nature of science includes teaching that a scientific theory is a well-supported and accepted explanation of nature, something that can be tested through experimentation, not just a claim.

Some opponents of the new standards also want the schools to teach other explanations of life, including creationism and intelligent design.

Creationism is a belief that God created life, and courts have ruled such religious teachings have no place in public school classrooms.

Intelligent design holds that the universe's order and complexity is so great that science alone cannot explain it. That approach also has had legal problems since a federal judge in Pennsylvania ruled intelligent design was religion masquerading as science.

What's your opinion? Share your thoughts on the proposed change.

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