NCSE Evolution and Climate Education Update for 2014/01/31

(by NCSE Deputy Director Glenn Branch)

Dear friends of NCSE,

A bill permitting the teaching of "intelligent design" surfaces in
South Dakota, while a Darwin Day resolution is introduced in the U. S.
Congress. Creationism appears in a lawsuit against a Louisiana school
board, a second antievolution bill emerges in Missouri, and further
information is revealed about the antiscience bill in Virginia. Plus a
reminder about Darwin Day.

"INTELLIGENT DESIGN" LEGISLATION IN SOUTH DAKOTA

Senate Bill 112, introduced in the South Dakota Senate and referred to
the Senate Education Committee on January 29, 2014, would, if enacted,
provide that "[n]o school board or school administrator may prohibit a
teacher in public or nonpublic school from providing instruction on
intelligent design or other related topics."

"A federal court already ruled in 2005 that teaching 'intelligent
design' in the public schools is unconstitutional," commented NCSE's
executive director Ann Reid. "So SB 112 is a recipe for disaster. If
enacted, school districts are going to find themselves caught between
a rock and a hard place -- and they'll wind up in court."

The fifth antiscience bill of 2014, after Virginia's HB 207,
Missouri's HB 1472 and 1587, and Oklahoma's SB 1765, SB 112 was
introduced by Jeff Monroe (R-District 24), Phil Jensen (R-District
33), Dan Lederman (R-District 16), Ernie Otten (R-District 6), Bruce
E. Rampelberg (R-District 30), and Bill Van Gerpen (R-District 19).

Seven members of the House of Representatives -- Brock L. Greenfield
(R-District 2), Scott W. Craig (R-District 33), Don Haggar (R-District
10), Jenna Haggar (R-District 10), Kyle Schoenfish (R-District 19),
Manny Steele (R-District 12), and Hal G. Wick (R-District 12) -- are
also listed as sponsors, although there is no House equivalent of the
bill.

For South Dakota's Senate Bill 112 as introduced, visit:
http://legis.sd.gov/Legislative_Session/Bills/Bill.aspx?File=SB112P.htm&Session=2014 

And for NCSE's previous coverage of events in South Dakota, visit:
http://ncse.com/news/south-dakota 

DARWIN DAY RESOLUTION IN CONGRESS

House Resolution 467, introduced in the United States House of
Representatives on January 29, 2014, would, if passed, express the
House's support of designating February 12, 2014, as Darwin Day, and
its recognition of "Charles Darwin as a worthy symbol on which to
celebrate the achievements of reason, science, and the advancement of
human knowledge."

Rush Holt (D-New Jersey), one of the few members of Congress with a
Ph.D. in a scientific field, is the sole sponsor of the bill. In a
January 29, 2014, press release from the American Humanist
Association, he explained, "Charles Darwin is even more than the
author of the theory of evolution, as great as that is. He represents
a way of thinking, a philosophy, a methodology. It was his thirst for
knowledge and his scientific approach to discovering new truths that
enabled him to develop the theory of evolution. This lesson, about the
value of scientific thinking, is almost as valuable as the theory he
uncovered."

H. Res. 467 is identical to H. Res. 41, introduced by Holt in 2013,
and to H. Res. 81, introduced by Pete Stark (D-California) in 2011.
Explaining the earlier resolution, Stark said, "Charles Darwin is
worthy of recognition and honor. His birthday should be a time for us
to celebrate the advancement of human knowledge and the achievements
of reason and science." Both of the previous resolutions eventually
died in committee.

"2014 has already seen three states introduce antievolution measures,
so it's wonderful to see a resolution that recognizes the importance
of teaching evolution," commented NCSE's executive director Ann Reid.
"I encourage members and friends of NCSE to urge their representatives
to support H. Res. 467. The problem is real: one of eight U.S. public
high school biology teachers are explicitly presenting creationism,
and six of ten are reluctant to teach evolution properly. So, yes,
support H. Res 467, but don't neglect the many ways to defend the
teaching of evolution locally."

For the text of House Resolution 467, visit:
http://ncse.com/news/2014/01/darwin-day-resolution-congress-0015349 

For the press release from the American Humanist Association, visit:
http://americanhumanist.org/news/details/2014-01-rep-rush-holt-re-introduces-darwin-day-resolution-in 

And for a listing of ways to support evolution education, visit:
http://ncse.com/taking-action/29-ways-to-support-science-education 

CREATIONISM IN LOUISIANA LAWSUIT

A sixth-grade teacher's advocacy of creationism is at the center of
the complaint in a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the
Western District of Louisiana on January 22, 2014. The lawsuit was
filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Louisiana
on behalf of Scott Lane, Sharon Lane, and their three children,
including their son, C. C., a Buddhist of Thai heritage. Documents
from the case, Lane et al. v. Sabine Parish School Board et al., are
available from the ACLU's website.

According to the complaint, C. C.'s former sixth-grade teacher "treats
the Bible as scientific fact, telling students that the Big Bang never
happened and that evolution is a 'stupid' theory that 'stupid people
made up because they don't want to believe in God.'" She tells her
students that "if evolution were real, it would still be happening:
Apes would still be turning into humans today." She "repeatedly
instructed students that evolution is not valid as a scientific theory
and that God made the world 6,000 years ago." She skipped the chapter
on evolution in the science textbook. In addition, she includes
religious material on her science tests. On one examination, students
were expected to fill in the blank in the sentence "ISN'T IT AMAZING
WHAT THE __________ MADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" C. C. was
penalized for not supplying the word "LORD." The teacher similarly
grants extra credit for writing "Isn't it amazing what the Lord has
made" on assignments and examinations.

Although C. C.'s parents complained of his teacher's misbehavior, the
superintendent was not responsive, telling them that "this is the
Bible Belt" and suggesting that C. C. change his religion. The
complaint cites the teacher's behavior, the superintendent's response,
and a pattern of "official promotion and inculcation of religion
generally, and Christianity, specifically" on the part of the district
in asking for a judgment against the district. A complaint was also
filed with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.

According to the Associated Press (January 23, 2014), the school board
issued a statement reading, "The Sabine Parish School Board has only
recently been made aware of the lawsuit filed by the ACLU. A lawsuit
only represents one side's allegations, and the board is disappointed
that the ACLU chose to file suit without even contacting it regarding
the facts. The school system recognizes the rights of all students to
exercise the religion of their choice and will defend the lawsuit
vigorously."

For the ACLU's documents in the case, visit:
https://www.aclu.org/religion-belief/lane-v-sabine-parish-school-board

For the complaint in the case (PDF), visit:
https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/assets/complaint_-_final_0.pdf

For the Associated Press's story (via KSLA in Shreveport), visit:
http://www.ksla.com/story/24523749/sabine-school-board-responds-to-aclu-suit-over-religious-harassment 

A SECOND ANTIEVOLUTION BILL IN MISSOURI

Missouri's House Bill 1587, introduced and given its first reading in
the Missouri House of Representatives on January 23, 2014, is the
fourth antiscience bill of the year and the second in the state. As is
increasingly common with antiscience legislation, HB 1587 would, if
enacted, in effect encourage science teachers with idiosyncratic
opinions to teach anything they pleased -- of creationism and climate
change denial are the usual intended beneficiaries of such bills --
and discourage responsible educational authorities from intervening.
The bill specifically cites "the theory of biological and hypotheses
of chemical evolution" as controversial.

HB 1587 would require state and local educational authorities to
"assist teachers to find more effective ways to present the science
curriculum where it addresses scientific controversies and permit
teachers "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"; it would prevent such authorities from "prohibit[ing] 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."

The sponsor of HB 1587 is Andrew Koenig (R-District 99); its
cosponsors are Rick Brattin (R-District 55), Donna Lichtenegger
(R-District 146), Kurt Bahr (R-District 102), Galen Higdon (R-District
11), Sandy Crawford (R-District 129), and Paul Wieland (R-District
112). Koenig was the sponsor of a string of similar bills: HB 179 in
2013, HB 1276 in 2012, and HB 195 in 2011. All failed. Koenig is also
a cosponsor of House Bill 1472 in 2014, a bill that would require
equal time for "intelligent design" in Missouri's public schools,
including introductory courses at colleges and universities. He
cosponsored the similar HB 291 in 2013 and HB 1227 in 2012; both
failed.

For the text of Missouri's House Bill 1587 as introduced, visit:
http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills141/biltxt/intro/HB1587I.htm 

And for NCSE's previous coverage of events in Missouri, visit:
http://ncse.com/news/missouri 

UPDATE FROM VIRGINIA

Virginia's House Bill 207 received extensive coverage in a hometown
newspaper -- The Recorder, published in the district of the bill's
sponsor, Richard P. "Dickie" Bell (R-District 20). In reporting on
various bills introduced by Bell, the newspaper commented (January 23,
2014), "By far, Bell's proposal for science teachers has attracted the
most scrutiny."

After summarizing the bill, and noting the precedents enacted in
Louisiana in 2008 and Tennessee in 2012, the newspaper asked Bell
about his intentions. Bell disclaimed any desire to promote doubt
about evolution or encourage the teaching of religious beliefs,
although he himself is a creationist and is not convinced that
evolution is scientifically credible. Rather, he claimed that science
educators are worried about controversies in the classroom over topics
like evolution and global warming: "Some people accept global warming,
some don't. You can't discount everything; it's all theory at this
point." The bill, he explained, was intended not to encourage teachers
to broach the discussion of such controversies but to make them
comfortable when they arise.

NCSE's Glenn Branch was unimpressed, telling The Reporter, "These
bills have been consistently and vehemently opposed by practically
every national scientific and science teaching organization." He
explained that HB 207 would, if enacted, "permit science teachers with
idiosyncratic opinions to teach anything they pleased -- proponents of
creationism and climate change denial are the usual intended
beneficiaries of such bills -- prevent responsible educational
authorities from intervening." He noted that proponents of the bills,
like Bell, have never actually offered any evidence that educators are
fearful about teaching scientific controversies or have been
persecuted for doing so. And he added that Virginia's science
standards already promote critical thinking.

The Reporter noted, "A number of religious freedom groups, civil
rights and science teacher organizations are gearing up to oppose the
bill," and quoted Debra Linick of the Jewish Community Relations
Council as saying, "Though creationism and evolution are not directly
mentioned, this bill is similar to efforts seen no less than 50 times
in 17 states in the past decade that open science classes to fringe
lectures and potential costly lawsuits. Only Louisiana and Tennessee
have passed such legislation -- in both cases, over the protests of
state and national organizations of scientists and of science
teachers. A call for the repeal of Louisiana's law has been supported
by over 70 Nobel laureates. ... Courts have long established that
creationism is not appropriate to be considered alongside evolution."

Bell acknowledged having received expressions of concerns about the
bill: "It's hard to argue with them," he said. Bell also acknowledged
that there is no apparent problem that his bill would solve: the
absence of such a problem "will probably determine the fate of the
bill ... I don't like its chances, not this year."

In its editorial (January 23, 2014), The Recorder was critical of the
bill, warning of the likelihood of lawsuits if it were enacted, and
concluding, "HB 207 isn't one of the bills that would improve
education. It runs afoul of current law, and in Virginia, where
science teaching is ranked so highly in upholding standards, it's
simply unnecessary."

For the text of Virginia's House Bill 207 as introduced, visit:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?141+ful+HB207 

For the story in The Recorder, visit:
https://recorder.our-hometown.com/news/2014-01-23/Top_News/Maple_fest_proposed_for_state_title.html

For the editorial in The Recorder, visit:
https://recorder.our-hometown.com/news/2014-01-23/Opinions_%28and%29___Commentary/Education_bill_not_needed_001.html

And for NCSE's previous coverage of events in Virginia, visit:
http://ncse.com/news/virginia 

DARWIN DAY APPROACHES

It's time to dust off your Darwin costume again: less than two weeks
remain before Darwin Day 2014! Colleges and universities, schools,
libraries, museums, churches, civic groups, and just plain folks
across the country -- and the world -- are preparing to celebrate
Darwin Day, on or around February 12, in honor of the life and work of
Charles Darwin. These events provide a marvelous opportunity not only
to celebrate Darwin's birthday but also to engage in public outreach
about science, evolution, and the importance of evolution education --
which is especially needed with assaults on evolution education
already under way in state legislatures. NCSE encourages its members
and friends to attend, participate in, and even organize Darwin Day
events in their own communities. To find a local event, check the
websites of local universities and museums and the registry of Darwin
Day events maintained by the Darwin Day Celebration website. (And
don't forget to register your own event with the Darwin Day
Celebration website!)

And with Darwin Day comes the return of Evolution Weekend! Hundreds of
congregations all over the country and around the world are taking
part in Evolution Weekend, February 7-9, 2014, by presenting sermons
and discussion groups on the compatibility of faith and science.
Michael Zimmerman, the initiator of the project, writes, "Evolution
Weekend is an opportunity for serious discussion and reflection on the
relationship between religion and science. One important goal is to
elevate the quality of the discussion on this critical topic -- to
move beyond sound bites. A second critical goal is to demonstrate that
religious people from many faiths and locations understand that
evolution is sound science and poses no problems for their faith.
Finally, as with The Clergy Letter itself, Evolution Weekend makes it
clear that those claiming that people must choose between religion and
science are creating a false dichotomy." At last count, 526
congregations in forty-five states (and thirteen foreign countries)
were scheduled to hold Evolution Weekend events.

For the Darwin Day registry, visit:
http://darwinday.org/events/ 
http://darwinday.org/wp-login.php?action=register 

For information about Evolution Weekend, visit:
http://www.evolutionweekend.org/ 

WHAT'S NEW FROM THE SCIENCE LEAGUE OF AMERICA

Have you been visiting NCSE's blog, The Science League of America,
recently? If not, then you've missed:

* Glenn Branch discussing Woodrow Wilson and James Woodrow on evolution:
http://ncse.com/blog/2014/01/two-woodrows-part-1-0015320 
http://ncse.com/blog/2014/01/two-woodrows-part-2-0015321 

* Peter M. J. Hess worrying about the disappearance of a Patagonian lake:
http://ncse.com/blog/2014/01/when-big-lake-disappears-overnight-0015324 

* Mark McCaffrey pondering the art of advocacy:
http://ncse.com/blog/2014/01/art-advocacy-0015337 

* Josh Rosenau remembering the late Pete Seeger's opposition to creationism:
http://ncse.com/blog/2014/01/remembering-pete-seegers-bumper-sticker-pete-seeger-0015350mnj 

And much more besides!

For The Science League of America, visit:
http://ncse.com/blog 

Thanks for reading. And don't forget to visit NCSE's website --
http://ncse.com -- where you can always find the latest news on 
evolution and climate education and threats to them.

--
Sincerely,

Glenn Branch
Deputy Director
National Center for Science Education, Inc.
420 40th Street, Suite 2
Oakland, CA 94609-2509
510-601-7203 x305
fax: 510-601-7204
800-290-6006
branch@ncse.com 
http://ncse.com 

Check out NCSE's new blog, Science League of America:
http://ncse.com/blog 

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