From Deseret News archives:
Schools balk at 'intelligent design' study
But State Office of Education leaders, who met with Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, on the matter, don't want to add that instruction, curriculum director Brett Moulding said.
If the two sides can't compromise, Buttars says he'll carry a legislative bill to make sure that they do.
"Legislation is a last resort," Buttars said. "I'm still working on it, but I'm really not highly hopeful we'll come to a consensus."
The issue surrounds human evolution and the concept of "intelligent design," based on the idea that life is too complex to be explained solely by Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection and evolution.
Critics say intelligent design is a thinly veiled reference to God and divine creation. And state education officials say that can't be taught in public schools under a 1987 U.S. Supreme Court decision.
Buttars, however, says intelligent design says nothing about God. Intelligent design reportedly has gained support in school districts in 20 states.
"I think our teachers respect individual students' beliefs they bring to the classroom," Moulding said. "So, they're very supportive of teaching evolution as a science, as a way of knowing that's distinct from other ways of knowing, such as religion."
But Buttars says some parents don't like what's happening in classrooms.
"I'm not willing to continue to get calls and e-mails and faxes from parents saying, 'Why are they teaching my kid we evolved from apes in school as a fact? (and that) it's causing great conflict in our family,' " Buttars said. "Kids are very impressionable. They look up to schoolteachers."
Wednesday, Buttars met with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Patti Harrington, State Board of Education member Tim Beagley, State Associate Superintendent Christine Kearl and Moulding. The meeting, which Moulding said lasted 30 minutes, was described by both sides as cordial.
Buttars said intelligent design should be taught to balance human evolution talks. It wouldn't have to be taught in science but possibly a required philosophy or humanities class.
Comments
- Aggies beat Spartans in snowy Logan 4:31 a.m.
- TCU 55, Utah 28 4:24 a.m.
- BYU 24, New Mexico 19 4:21 a.m.
- Jazz game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Real Salt Lake: Game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Stanford ends Y's soccer season 2:20 a.m.
- Jazz hope D-Will returns soon 2:19 a.m.
- Snow, SUU lose 2:18 a.m.
- Toone saves day for Wildcats 2:15 a.m.
- Win in New Mexico good for Y? 2:15 a.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- BYU happy to escape with victory
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- Crash on snowy road kills woman
- D-Will home for daughter
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- GameDay in Fort Worth
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- Born of water and the spirit
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
358 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
200 - BYU happy to escape with victory
194 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - TCU creams U.
134 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
106 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
If you are looking for a bird on the cheap, the following specials from...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
So Great!!! So Proud - Love RSL - Bring Home The CUP!!!!!
mr cannon's bold assertation that the purpose of the first ammendemnt as...
Great great great game!!!! Nicky Rimando is a god! We're the most complete...
I had the game on DVR and just watched it. That was the most exciting game...
financially cannot this year, but I will watch loyally, how great to hear...
This is hardly surprising. Bennett has a remarkable arrogance which is also...
I guess that is why "they play the game" as Herman Edwards would say.. ...
What was the score of the LSU vs LA tech game? Alot closer than you'd like to...
Has Fedor not said that THIS IS OUR YEAR all year long? Go back and...
This is just a small glimpse of the future with Obamacare: corruption, waste...

You can be the first to comment on this story.