Florida State Board of Education

Posted 20 January 2008 by PvM

Although various school boards have somewhat recklessly passed resolutions asking the Florida State Board of Education to revise the proposed standards to include 'alternative theories of evolution', the final decision rests in the hands of the following people at the Florida State Board of Education. You may want to remind them of the simple fact that there are no competing theories, as admitted to by several leading Intelligent Design proponents or that Intelligent Design has no predictive powers. It is important that these people as well as the media come to realize that Intelligent Design is scientifically vacuous as it provides no competing explanations. Check the Florida Citizens for Science Call to Action Pages for latest information Remember that the 'offending text' in the draft standards describes evolution as follows

Standard 2. Evolution and Diversity
A. Evolution is the fundamental concept underlying all of biology and is supported by multiple forms of scientific evidence.
B. Organisms are classified based on their evolutionary history.
C. Natural selection is the primary mechanism leading to evolutionary change.

State Board of Education

Mr. Roberto Martinez - Bio
Phone: (850) 245-0505 Fax: (850) 245-9667

"Evolution is well accepted in the scientific community as a fact," said Roberto "Bobby" Martinez, a Coral Gables lawyer. "This is not a discussion on religion."

Source: County woman leads assault on evolution instruction by BILL KACZOR Dec 09, 2007

Ms. Donna Callaway State Board of Education, Member - Bio
Phone: (850) 245-0505 Fax: (850) 245-9667
Callaway should be informed that there are no other theories to compete with evolution. You may want to refer to the various quotes by ID proponents who admit this (Philip Johnson, Paul Nelson, and even William Dembski).

“I agree completely that evolution should be taught with all of the research and study that has occurred. However, I believe it should not be taught to the exclusion of other theories of origin of life,” Callaway told me

Source: Florida Baptist Witness EDITORIAL: Sub-standard science standards By JAMES A. SMITH SR. Nov 30, 2007

"I'm keeping a fairly open mind," said board member Donna Callaway, a retired Tallahassee middle school principal. She has a Southern Baptist background and her correspondence has been overwhelming against the evolution standards, but Callaway said she believes it should be taught in some manner.

Source: County woman leads assault on evolution instruction by BILL KACZOR Dec 09, 2007

Mrs. Linda Taylor - Bio
Phone: (850) 245-0505 Fax: (850) 245-9667
Like Callaway, Taylor could benefit from a reminder that there are no competing theories of evolution

The Gradebook caught up with board member Linda Taylor, who had so far been silent on the topic of the standards, and found her generally supportive of the “choices” philosophy, so long as it falls within what the state can do legally. “With the evolution, there’s a bigger topic called theories of origin. I think kids should have the opportunity to compare different theories,” Taylor (left) said. “If we are focused on evolution I am OK with that. But they should at least know there are other theories out there and that they could themselves compare them or that they be presented to them.” She continued: “I would support teaching evolution, but with all its warts. I think that some of the facts have been questioned by evolutionists themselves. I would want them taught as theories. That’s important. They could be challenged by others and the kids could then be taught critical thinking and they can make their own choices.”

Source: Florida Citizens for Science

Mr. T. Willard Fair Chairman, State Board of Education - Bio
Phone: (305) 696-4450 x. 0 Fax: (305) 696-4455

Board chairman T. Willard Fair, who heads the Urban League of Greater Miami, said he's never received more correspondence on a single issue, but he declined to discuss his views.

Source: County woman leads assault on evolution instruction by BILL KACZOR Dec 09, 2007

Dr. Akshay Desai - Bio
Phone: (850) 245-0505 Fax: (850) 245-9667

Mrs. Phoebe Raulerson - Bio
Phone: (850) 245-0505 Fax: (850) 245-9667

Board member Phoebe Raulerson, a former Okeechobee County school superintendent, said she couldn't comment because she hadn't yet examined the proposal and public comment.

Source: County woman leads assault on evolution instruction by BILL KACZOR Dec 09, 2007

Ms. Kathleen Shanahan - Bio
Phone: (850) 245-9661 Fax: (850) 245-9667

Dr. Eric J. Smith - Bio
Phone: (850) 245-0505 Fax: (850) 245-9667

Education Commissioner Eric Smith, who also serves on the board, said it would be inappropriate for him to comment until the standards are finalized.

Source: County woman leads assault on evolution instruction by BILL KACZOR Dec 09, 2007

21 Comments

Stacy S. · 20 January 2008

February 19th is the date of the vote. The clock is winding down. Please send letters if you haven't done so already.

P.S. THANKS PvM!!!

gabriel · 20 January 2008

I wrote most of them of few days ago, and I too encourage everyone else to do the same.

UAB · 20 January 2008

This is all Lincoln's fault. After defeating the South, the US government should have brought the freemen and Union loyalist back into America proper and then expelled Confederacy from America forever.

Kind of like God with Adam and Eve.

UnMark · 20 January 2008

I think Callaway may respond well to demanding that FSM be included in her alternate "theories". . . .

Stacy S. · 20 January 2008

First she needs to answer the question - What other theories are you suggesting?

rebel · 20 January 2008

UAB: This is all Lincoln's fault. After defeating the South, the US government should have brought the freemen and Union loyalist back into America proper and then expelled Confederacy from America forever. Kind of like God with Adam and Eve.

Yeah - good thing nothing like this ever happens in the Union states - like Ohio...or Pennsylvania. Stupidity, and bigotry, are everywhere. I teach in the South - a full semester course in evolutionary theory. And most of my students have no idea why anyone in their right mind would reject evolution. Please get rid of your outdated stereotypes.

Stanton · 20 January 2008

rebel:
UAB: This is all Lincoln's fault. After defeating the South, the US government should have brought the freemen and Union loyalist back into America proper and then expelled Confederacy from America forever. Kind of like God with Adam and Eve.
Yeah - good thing nothing like this ever happens in the Union states - like Ohio...or Pennsylvania. Stupidity, and bigotry, are everywhere. I teach in the South - a full semester course in evolutionary theory. And most of my students have no idea why anyone in their right mind would reject evolution. Please get rid of your outdated stereotypes.

I also strongly recommend that UAB also read US history concerning the aftermath of the Civil War, especially since because President Lincoln was assassinated, there was no one to prevent Union congressmen from "punishing" the Confederate states for the Civil War, and thus, hampering reconciliation with and reconstruction of the South.

Science Avenger · 20 January 2008

Be sure to remind these people that evolution does not address the issue of the origins of life. They can't ever seem to get that one right.

Scott · 21 January 2008

The debate about whether evolution is a theory or a fact can be clarified as follows:

The theory of evolution is a THEORY.

Laboratory and field observations verify that evolution does in FACT occur.

Such observations support the assertion that the fossilized remains of organisms is evidence that organisms have been evolving for several billion years.

Stacy S. · 21 January 2008

Science Avenger: Be sure to remind these people that evolution does not address the issue of the origins of life. They can't ever seem to get that one right.

- This is from the proposed standards (1st draft - I don't know if this has been changed) > - - - Benchmark SC.912.L.2.7: Express scientific explanations of the origin of life on Earth.

Scotty Zilinsky · 21 January 2008

Creationism probably does belong in the Comparative Religion, Comparative Mythology classes, but it certainly has no place in a Science class. That it has had to bow to the indisputable findings of science, tacking on it's own myth about the origins of life, does not make it a legitimate subject for a science class.
Scotty

Nate · 21 January 2008

Hey all, thanks for posting my map up in the past thread. (I feel honored)

I have updated the map again. I'll take open critiques with each new revision I do. This information is based off of the Jan 19th update to this thead (http://pandasthumb.org/archives/2008/01/ignorance-by-de.html) but it is locked for new comments.

new map

Stacy S. · 21 January 2008

Hey Nate - Great job! One note ... St. Johns, Madison, and Clay should be red. (ugh)

Frank J · 22 January 2008

Be sure to remind these people that evolution does not address the issue of the origins of life. They can’t ever seem to get that one right.
— Science Avenger

If only to inform the public, which has been mostly misled about it, and show them that the activists either don't know that, don't care, or are willing to mislead them about it.

Creationism probably does belong in the Comparative Religion, Comparative Mythology classes, but it certainly has no place in a Science class.
— Scotty Zilinsky

And even in nonscience classes it must never be taught without itself being critically analyzed. But anti-evolution activists do not want that because they know that it can be done without the cherry picking of evidence, baiting-and-switching of definitions and concepts, and quote mining that is necessary to "critically analyze" evolution to their satisfaction.

Frank J · 22 January 2008

Update to Science Avenger:

I guess you mean to remind the state BOE, as opposed to the local boards that are assisting the scam. In that case there may be some hope for a "thanks for clearing things up."

PvM · 22 January 2008

Thanks Nate, updated the graphics

Nate: Hey all, thanks for posting my map up in the past thread. (I feel honored) I have updated the map again. I'll take open critiques with each new revision I do. This information is based off of the Jan 19th update to this thead (http://pandasthumb.org/archives/2008/01/ignorance-by-de.html) but it is locked for new comments. new map

Frank J · 23 January 2008

Board chairman T. Willard Fair, who heads the Urban League of Greater Miami, said he’s never received more correspondence on a single issue, but he declined to discuss his views.

How often has one who "declined to discuss his views" under similar circumstances turned out to be a supporter of science? The question is not rhetorical; I'm guessing "not often," but hoping to be wrong. As for Ms. Callaway, how often does someone who feels compelled to advertise that they are "open minded" turn out to be anything but? That question is rhetorical. Especially since Callaway appears to have received and welcomed the DI's latest "memo" (to teach evolution in "some manner", specifically to misrepresent it).

Stacy S. · 23 January 2008

@ Frank - I'm glad you have high hopes for Mr. Fair, but ... he's an evangelist.

Frank J · 23 January 2008

Stacy,

I don't have high hopes for Fair, or any politician for that matter. "Evangelist" alone leaves a slight window open, but if you combine it with "politician," then my hope that common descent will be falsified becomes greater. And that's somewhere at the level of my hope that someone determines pi to be 3.

Stacy S. · 24 January 2008

Frank J: Stacy, I don't have high hopes for Fair, or any politician for that matter. "Evangelist" alone leaves a slight window open, but if you combine it with "politician," then my hope that common descent will be falsified becomes greater. And that's somewhere at the level of my hope that someone determines pi to be 3.

You are right about the whole "politician thing" - He IS from the Miami area, so that's a plus! :-)

Henry J · 25 January 2008

And that’s somewhere at the level of my hope that someone determines pi to be 3.

Pi can't be 3, cause Pi are square, and 3 isn't a square number. Case closed. :D