The Utah state board of education has agreed to support the continued exclusive teaching of evolution in state classrooms.
A statement approved by the board Sept. 2 affirms evolution as a “unifying concept in science.” Though the statement admonishes teachers to be respectful and nonjudgmental about students’ own beliefs on the subject, it says “teachers should help students understand that science is an essential way of knowing.”
Instruction about the theory of evolution has been under attack in Kansas, where the state school board is considering new state science standards that allow more criticism of evolution, a move that has angered many scientists.
Utah’s board was responding to state Sen. Chris Buttars, a Republican, who has said he is considering introducing legislation allowing that intelligent design be taught in schools or place the issue on the ballot next year for voters to decide, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
