The Clay County School Board just approved a modified form of the resolution by a vote of 5-0. 22 of the 27 speakers at the meeting opposed the resolution and they covered pretty much all the bases. Some were quite eloquent, including several retired pastors. The five supporters said nothing we hadn’t heard before although the word dogma and its variants showed up a lot when referring to Darwinism. Two (Including a teacher at my own school. Sigh.) emphasized teaching all the “facts” and letting students decide. I was surprised that the local churches didn’t try to pack the meeting room until someone pointed out that this didn’t start to get publicity until after last Sunday’s services.
— DC
On Florida Citizens for Science we read about St Johns CountyThe resolution that passed had two, maybe three significant wording changes made. In paragraph two, the word “fact” at the end of the last line was changed to “theory.” The new line reads, “...direct the Florida Department of Education to revise the new Sunshine State Standards for Science so that evolution is clarified as a theory.” The last paragraph was also modified so that the last phrase reads, “...revise the new Sunshine State Standards for Science such that evolution is designated as a theory.” I think they also voted to change the word “concept” in the standard to theory (nobody on the board was too sure of what the difference was, the lawyer for the board wouldn’t say anything without first looking it up in a dictionary, and nobody wanted to ask the two actual standards writers in the audience what the difference might mean.) It was all reminiscent of Bacon’s tale of the monks trying to figure out how many teeth a horse has with none of them willing to just look in its mouth and count. I’m pretty sure they made the change but it was getting late. One of the board members said we wouldn’t have spent two hours discussing the resolution if evolution was a fact. I wasn’t surprised that the resolution passed but I was dumbfounded when a board member asked about the origins of the resolution, who wrote it and who brought it to the board, and our superintendent, David Owens said he was responsible for, “all of the above.” He said later that he worked with Paula Barton to write and distribute it. A couple of us are working to get a copy of the recording of the meeting (video and audio). Earlier in the meeting Owens said that everybody in the room was obviously passionate about their ideas and beliefs. He asked how many concepts in science changed over the years when the information changed? How did we know evolution wouldn’t do likewise. We shouldn’t be so dogmatic about this. We should pass this resolution because it reflects our beliefs. Beliefs equals experimental data. No wonder we have such low science scores down here. The attorney for the board said that the resolution came as close as possible to violating the Kitzmiller decision without actually crossing the line. The board members were, I think, voting on this as a CYA thing and at least three of them said it wouldn’t make a difference with the state BOE anyway. Maybe if we start good science education now we can have more scientifically literate adults on school boards in the future.
Florida Citizens for Science member Kristine Hoppenworth attended the St. Johns County school board meeting during which the board approved an anti-evolution resolution. Here is Kristine’s report: ———————— Hello! I attended the St. Johns School Board Meeting last night in St. Augustine at 6 pm. Although the resolution wasn’t on the agenda, it was added at the beginning of the meeting as the last resolution, CR 6, to be presented. Before CR 6, the audience was packed because this meeting also included recognition of Teachers of the Year, Retirees, etc. By 7:20, the final ceremony, listed as CR 5, was complete. The board called for a short break in which the room emptied out. This break could have come after CR 6, which was the last resolution on the agenda for this section of the meeting, but they chose to place the break before they got to this important matter. At 7:30, the issue was introduced as follows, to a handful or audience members: “This Resolution urges the State Board of Education to direct the Florida Department of Education to review the new Sunshine State Standards for Science to allow for balanced, objective, and intellectually open instruction in regards to evolution, teaching the scientific strengths and weaknesses of the theory rather than teaching evolution as dogmatic fact.” The resolution was then read. [Copy can be seen here.] Tommy Allen, District 2 board member, talked for about 6 minutes before members of the public were invited to speak. He explained that he was taught both evolution and other theories in school, and he found that another theory, that of a grand clock-winder, stood out to him. He explained that it was impossible that “things could just happen” and that when he gardens, he never plants a seed for it to grow into a different type of plant than it should. He wants the standards to include other theories which are “just as logically likely”. From the public, Faye Armitage spoke, worried about science being watered down and about the attempt to insert Christianity into public schools under the guise of teaching the controversy. Kim Kendall was next, and gave practically the same talk that she did at the Jacksonville meeting. She agrees with everyone, but she wants evolution taught with its flaws. She states that over 700 scientists discredit evolution (counting the hits, ignoring the thousands of misses). She gave her anecdote about her son coming home from school to tell her that scientists “discovered” that Pluto was not really a planet after all, as she was taught. Despite this being a gross misunderstanding of what happened with Pluto, I think she means to use it as an example that evolution is just another old piece of misinformation hanging around which needs to be updated. She emphasizes academic freedom (as science without “blinders”) and not religion, but the most current scientific research. Niki Abate spoke next, and pointed out that science is happy to accommodate theories supported by scientific data, but that ID has failed to publish one peer-reviewed article. She counted the misses that Kim Kendall left out, and also restated that the idea of academic freedom was simply being used as camouflage. She concluded by leaving “other theories” to be included not in the science curriculum, but instead in philosophy or religion classes. After these speakers, the board voted, and the result was an immediate, in-unison, unanimous “Aye.” And that’s that. —————————- Our sincere appreciation to Kristine for attending and reporting. Also, thanks to Faye Armitage for providing to us a copy of the resolution.
15 Comments
raven · 17 January 2008
Tara Fields · 18 January 2008
I thought I'd pass this link on:
http://www.news4jax.com/education/15081062/detail.html?rss=jax&psp=news
It's a shame that the local media missed the nuances - but not terribly surprising. No mention of the use of the word "theory", nor of the inability of average people to understand the difference between average conversation "theory" and "scientific theory".
Clay School Board Votes In Favor Of Evolution
POSTED: 11:57 pm EST January 17, 2008
The Clay County School Board held a public hearing Thursday evening to discuss a possible change in the way science courses are taught in public schools.
The change would result in the word evolution becoming part of the curriculum.
The school board members voted unanimously to allow the theory of evolution to be taught.
The state Board of Education will discuss the standards and vote on them Feb. 19. The rules also would require more in-depth teaching of evolution and other scientific topics while setting specific benchmarks for students to meet.
Ron Okimoto · 18 January 2008
Stacy S. · 18 January 2008
Aagcobb · 18 January 2008
It doesn't really seem like Kitzmiller, since the local boards weren't voting to misinform kids themselves, they were only voting to ask the State BOE to misinform kids. That way they can tell their YEC constituents they did something, but if the state BOE changes the science standards to include lies, its the state that will get sued and have to pay the six figure attorneys fees. Pretty crafty politics, though of course also craven and dispicable. Thats why I'm hoping McCain gets the GOP nomination instead of Romney, who'll take any position if he thinks it will get him votes.
HDX · 18 January 2008
Gerry L · 18 January 2008
DC on the Clay County meeting wrote:
The new line reads, “…direct the Florida Department of Education to revise the new Sunshine State Standards for Science so that evolution is clarified as a theory.”
Maybe this could be turned around into a good change if the FDOE follows through and clarifies -- in the standards -- what a scientific theory actually is. Somebody want to send them some draft text?
But this whole Florida trend IS very discouraging. Unanimous votes?!?!?
Grafixer · 18 January 2008
I attended the School Board meeting in Clay County, FL last night, 01/17/08. The Clay School Board was considering a resolution to oppose the new science guidelines - stating that the State should not teach Evolution "fact". NOWHERE in the guidelines is there any reference to Evolution as being fact. The resolution also stated that the curriculum should be "fair and balanced" - clearly an attempt to open the door for the teaching of religion in science classes.
At the meeting, 27 people spoke. Only 4 were in favor of the resolution. EVERY person that had a background of knowledge in Science or in Theology spoke against the resolution - backing the teaching of evolution, and stating that religion should not be in the schools.
The School Board members were obviously perplexed by the response. They considered changing the wording of their resolution so that it stated that Evolution should be taught as a "theory" instead of a "concept". Then, they debated about whether or not there is a difference between the two words! However, they passed their revised resolution in opposition of the guidelines.
This SCHOOL Board could not come up with definitions for "theory" and "concept", yet, passed a resolution with that wording. This SCHOOL Board initially wrote a resolution that was opposed to teaching evolution as "fact" - when the FACT is that the guidelines NEVER refer to teaching it as fact. The REAL mission here is to open the door for Creationism to be taught in the schools. However, these obvious Christian politicians do not follow the basic Christian value of honesty. No one on the board would admit what the resolution is really about.
However, their attorney was quick to speak up when some of the board members seemed concerned. He stated that the resolution came as close as possible to violating the Kitzmiller decision without actually crossing the line. This made it obvious that legal concerns were discussed with the attorney prior to submitting the resolution for discussion - with PARTICULAR CONCERN over their resolution being similar to Kitzmiller.
When board member Wayne Bolla asked how the resolution got onto their agenda, and who wrote it, Superintendent DAVID OWENS boasted, "I will take full responsibility for all of the above." When asked again who wrote it, Owens admitted writing it - "with the help of others". He then went on to say, "Read it and vote your conscience." One cannot avoid wondering which religious group may have assisted Owens in writing such a poorly worded and inaccurate resolution. One cannot avoid wondering why it was pushed onto the board's agenda (after being passed by the board's attorney) so quickly. Initially, it was on their agenda ONLY for passing - NOT for open discussion. Was this an attempt to bypass due process and slip religious intentions past the other board members??
Ultimately, the 23 EDUCATED voices of reason fell on the deaf ears of the board. Mr. Owens' private agenda WAS passed. One can only hope that when these 6 Board members attend their church this Sunday, that they ask their god for forgiveness for deceiving an entire county of people.
One can only hope that media will stand up and take notice, and bring Owens' abuse of his position to the attention of the entire country.
I urge those that are interested to contact the Clay County School Board at (904) 284-6500 and request a copy of the video of this meeting. Most of those that spoke up were very informed, and certainly will give you a lot to think about. Watching the School Board squirm to avoid telling the truth about the REAL Agenda, and seeing them banter back and forth trying to ignore public opinion will give you a good laugh. Once you have viewed it, pass it along to those that can make a difference.
Thank you for your time.
Ichthyic · 18 January 2008
The School Board members were obviously perplexed by the response.
that's because, as I have often said, creationists are only able to communicate by using projection.
they automatically assume everyone shares their viewpoint (it being the only good and proper viewpoint), and are always surprised when they inevitably discover otherwise.
the really funny thing is, if this meeting was repeated next week, with a similar turnout, they would STILL be surprised at the response.
actually, you could repeat the same thing every week for a decade...
However, they passed their revised resolution in opposition of the guidelines.
and get the same result.
Alan C. · 18 January 2008
Science Avenger · 19 January 2008
Ron Okimoto · 19 January 2008
JGB · 19 January 2008
Where is the resolution about teaching gravity as just a theory? We've never actually seen a graviton exchanged afterall. I mean there is a scientific controversy here, the great Newton himself called it spooky action at a distance. I see there is plenty of need for the spirt theory of attraction to be taught alongside gravity.
Torbjörn Larsson, OM · 19 January 2008
Henry J · 19 January 2008