HC School Board: Make evolution one of ‘several theories’

Holmes County School Board to the State Board of Education: direct the Florida Department of Education to revise the new Sunshine State Standards for Science so evolution is not presented as fact, but as one of several theories.

That was the consensus of school board members who met in a regular meeting Tuesday, Dec. 18 and approved a resolution to be sent to the state board and to Florida Governor Charlie Crist.

At issue are Florida’s new science standards and their treatment of evolution. The resolution notes, “The new Sunshine State Standards for Science no longer present evolution as theory but as ‘the fundamental concept underlying all of biology and is supported in multiple forms of scientific evidence,’ we are requesting that the State Board of Education direct the Florida Department of Education to revise/edit the new Sunshine State Standard for Science so that evolution is presented as one of several theories as to how the universe was formed.”

The resolution continues, “The Holmes County School Board recognizes the importance of providing a thorough and comprehensive science education to all the students in Holmes County and to all students in the state of Florida, it recognizes as even more important the need to present these standards through a fair and balanced approach, an approach that does not unfairly exclude other theories as to the creation of the universe.”

Referring to the state’s new science standards, Board Chairman Vernon Lewis said, “It’s pretty much a done deal, but I choose to fight. I ask the public to do the same thing.”

Board Member Jason Motley said, “Science is not a fact. There’s always that percentage that it could be wrong.”

Superintendent Steve Griffin noted that the standards are taught beginning in kindergarten. “Teachers are obligated to teach it because it impacts FCAT, school grades, district grades and funding…everything,” Griffin said.

The deadline for public comment on the new standards has passed, but reports indicate the Web site is still operative. To comment, go to www.flstandards.org.

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