Written by Don Byrd
Dana Liebelson at Mother Jones reports an Oklahoma House Committee will consider HB 1674 today, a measure that seeks to protect students who takes contrary positions to scientific theories. While the bill doesn’t mention religious positions contrary to scientific theory, it seems clear that is a primary motivation. Here’s a portion of the official bill summary (pdf):
Educational authorities will endeavor to assist teachers to find more effective ways to present the science curriculum where it addresses scientific controversies and teachers will be permitted to help students analyze the scientific strengths and weaknesses of existing scientific theories. No student will be penalized because the student subscribes to a particular position on scientific theories.
No penalty from taking any particular position on a scientific theory? Really?
Of course, students can already hold their own private beliefs about scientific theories. That won’t change regardless of the fate of this legislation. Bill sponsor Gus Blackwell (formerly of Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma) also says the measure will still allow teachers to require students to learn and demonstrate an understanding of scientific theories, but where is the line between subscribing to a particular position and answering scientific questions in accordance with that position? Does this bill actually accomplish anything? If so, is it something appropriate?
You can read the entire bill (pdf) here.
[UPDATE: By a close 9-8 vote, the Committee voted to approve the bill, sending it to the full Oklahoma House for consideration.]
