The Alabama state board of education voted unanimously Nov. 11 to keep a disclaimer on biology textbooks that labels evolution “controversial” and “not a fact,” language that has become popular among those who want the theory of evolution subjected to criticism in school science classes.
The stickers, which were initially approved in 1995 and have been revised over time, appear on middle and high school biology textbooks, said Anne P. Graham, a spokeswoman for the state education department. The vote came as part of a regular textbook review.
Alabama is the only state to use such a sticker, according to the Oakland, Calif.-based National Center for Science Education, which supports teaching evolution in science classes.
The elected Alabama state board also agreed with a committee recommendation against adopting a number of elementary school science books because of their presentation of evolution, Ms. Graham said.