The Alabama Board of Education has asked university science-faculty members to comment on a resolution calling for both evolution and “creation science” to be taught in the state’s public schools.
The board also may reconsider the state’s science curriculum, which was revised last year to remove a requirement that evolution theory be taught in the public schools.
The board’s vice president, Harold Martin, removed the resolution from the board’s April agenda after members of the Auburn University chapter of the Scientific Research Society of North America voted 123 to 9 to oppose the changes in the science course of study.
In 1983, the committee for the science course of study compromised with advocates of creationism and removed the requirement that evolution theory be taught in the schools; instead the committee required that “the origins of the earth” be taught.
Following the April board meeting, State Superintendent of Education Wayne Teague said creationism is a religion and should not be taught in public schools.
Mr. Teague, a former science teacher, said those advocating teaching religion in public schools should “quit expecting the schools to do everything the home and church ought to do.”
“It bothers me that people criticize our teachers,” Mr. Teague said. “They say they’re not prepared to teach English, but apparently they’re perfectly prepared to teach religion."--Cynthia Smith
