From Deseret News archives:
Evolution statement excludes 'design'
Buttars threatens public referendum on the issue
That bothers Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan. He wants the board to insert language saying humans didn't evolve from any other species.
If the board doesn't, he'll carry a bill that could require intelligent design be taught in public schools to counterbalance human evolution discussions. Or he may go for a public vote on the issue.
"Maybe the way to go is a referendum, and put it on next year's ballot, and let the people tell the schools what to do," Buttars said Friday. "Once again, they could stop this whole mess if they would add something as simple as the line I (propose)."
The State Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the document next Friday. Chairman Kim Burningham says he likes what he sees so far.
"It says that evolution is accepted as a principle by the scientific community, it should be taught in science classes, it's got credible evidence behind it, but questions still related to it, (and) religion and other methods of knowing . . . should be studied elsewhere," Burningham said. "My first impression is, I'm comfortable with it."
The inclusion of intelligent design has been supported by some local school boards across the nation. In Kansas it has been implemented statewide. Districts in some states, including California and Pennsylvania, have been sued over the issue.
In light of the controversies, Burningham, also president of the National Association of State Boards of Education, asked the Utah board to take a stand on teaching evolution of species a central part of Utah's high school biology core curriculum.
The proposed position statement was created by a committee of about 25, including state school board members and science educators from the State Office of Education, universities and public school classrooms, state curriculum director Brett Moulding said.
Its contents were revealed in a school board agenda the Deseret Morning News received this Friday.
"As a fundamental scientific concept, evolution is a necessary part of science classroom instruction, and it will continue to be taught and progressively refined as a key scientific principle," the 1 1/2-page document states.
Comments
- Utes prepare to go bowling 6:15 a.m.
- Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan 6:14 a.m.
- Utah vs. Weber State 6:04 a.m.
- Flash get dramatic win over D-Fenders 6:01 a.m.
- All-MWC football awards 5:57 a.m.
- Deseret News Ms. Volleyball 2009 5:48 a.m.
- 5A All-State volleyball teams 5:14 a.m.
- 4A All-State volleyball teams 5:14 a.m.
- 3A volleyball All-State teams 5:14 a.m.
- 2A All-State teams 5:14 a.m.
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
- BYU says Hall incident resolved
- Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore
- Witness: Mitchell wanted attention
- 'Grandfamilies' a growing trend
- MWC '09 season in review
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet
- Find joy in life, Bishop Burton says
- Jazz ready to be without Harpring
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
906 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
483 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
404 - Max Hall issues apology
387 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
349 - Utes won't respond to Hall
276 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
238 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
161 - BYU is champion of the state
143 - Religion in politics is tiresome
129
My husband was teaching his 6th-grade class in Salt Lake last year when...
so sorry to hear this terrible news..much sincer condolences to the her family.
Time for him to go. PAST time for him to go.
After reading many comments posted on several stories since the incident...
Hey, I was at that Pres. Holland devotional, too. It was the year after the...
Sometimes when we loose we win, but not in this case. Want a future?...
First Meeting Utah, 12—4 (1896) Last Meeting BYU,...
Max Hall's only mistake was hating the sinner instead of the sin. He...
Kind of refreshing isn't it, Lee.
I voted for Morgan for Vice Chair, and I think he would still be worth voting...

You can be the first to comment on this story.