"Evolution" removed from Georgia's science standards
A proposed biology curriculum for the State of Georgia removes the word
evolution, replacing it with
biological change over time. The
New York Times also
reports that the curriculum fudges on the age of Earth, removing the word
long from the phrase
long history of the Earth. Some see this as a sop to creationists, many of whom believe Earth to be a mere four to eight thousand years old.
The state's schools superintendent, Kathy Cox, said in a news conference Thursday that the word
evolution causes "a lot of negative reaction" and distracts people from the ideas being taught. Cox argues that people get so worked up about the "monkeys-to-man thing" that they lose sight of the larger ideas of evolution. Cox states that textbooks may still use the word
evolution, and that teachers will still be able to use it and to teach related concepts.
Some teachers and scientists, however, oppose the changes, arguing they will provide teachers an excuse for glossing over evolutionary concepts; this, they say, will weaken biology teaching in the state and hinder students who go on to study biology in college.
These changes, though, are part of an ongoing process to overhaul Georgia's curriculum, and they could be overturned or modified with enough public support.
More:
Forgetting Darwin: Georgia's proposed science curriculum protects children from the "e' word
Georgia may shun 'evolution' in schools
Cox: 'Evolution' a negative buzzword
Proposed Georgia curriculum
Science benchmarks from American Association for the Advancement of Science