Yesterday Representative Robert Cooper (r) introduced a bill to allow the gross distortion of science education in Missouri. Somebody call PZ Myers.
HB 1651 Protects teacher academic freedom to teach scientific evidence regarding biological and chemical evolution
Sponsor: Cooper, Robert Wayne (155) Proposed Effective Date: 08/28/2010
CoSponsor: Funderburk, Doug (12) ……….etal. LR Number: 3681L.01I
Last Action: 01/14/2010 – Read Second Time (H)
HB1651
Next Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a calendar
We musn’t upset the Pastafarians.
Why don’t we just call it “The Practical Definition of Micromanagement Act” and leave it at that?
The bill language:
SECOND REGULAR SESSION
95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES COOPER (Sponsor), FUNDERBURK, EMERY, DAVIS, SANDER, SATER, STREAM, GRISAMORE, RIDDLE, SCHAD AND POLLOCK (Co-sponsors).
3681L.01I D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 170, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to teacher academic freedom to teach scientific evidence regarding evolution.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 170, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 170.335, to read as follows:
170.335. 1. The state board of education, public elementary and secondary school governing authorities, superintendents of schools, school system administrators, and public elementary and secondary school principals and administrators shall endeavor to create an environment within public elementary and secondary schools that encourages students to explore scientific questions, learn about scientific evidence, develop critical thinking skills, and respond appropriately and respectfully to differences of opinion about controversial issues, including biological and chemical evolution. Such educational authorities in this state shall also endeavor to assist teachers to find more effective ways to present the science curriculum where it addresses scientific controversies. Toward this end, teachers shall be permitted to help students understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of the theory of biological and hypotheses of chemical evolution.
2. Neither the state board of education, nor any public elementary or secondary school governing authority, superintendent of schools, or school system administrator, nor any public elementary or secondary school principal or administrator shall prohibit any teacher in a public school system of this state from helping students understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of biological or chemical evolution whenever these subjects are taught within the course curriculum schedule.
3. This section only protects the teaching of scientific information and this section shall not be construed to promote philosophical naturalism or biblical theology, promote natural cause or intelligent cause, promote undirected change or purposeful design, promote atheistic or theistic belief, promote discrimination for or against a particular set of religious beliefs or ideas, or promote discrimination for or against religion or nonreligion. Scientific information includes physical evidence and logical inferences based upon evidence.
4. No later than the start of the 2010-2011 school year, the department of elementary and secondary education shall notify all public school superintendents of the provisions of this section. Each superintendent shall then disseminate to all employees within his or her school system a copy of this section.
[emphasis in original]
Ah, sponsored by the usual suspects.
Uh, shouldn’t science education be based on, you know, actual science, not the “equal and opposing viewpoint” treatment of crackpot musings? Just asking.