Monday, December 13, 1999
Teachers tiptoe around evolution
It's taught as a concept, but an important one
BY ANDREA TORTORA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FORT MITCHELL — The absence of the word “evolution” from Kentucky science curriculum guidelines stirred controversy recently. But that will not change the way the scientific concept is taught, educators say.
“Are we the same as early man? No, we've changed,” Beechwood biology teacher John Rauch told his class during a 10th-grade genetics lesson this week.
“We are basically the product of mutations, ac cording to scientific thought. Mutations lead to adaptations, which leads to evolution, and this is supposedly the way we came to Earth.”
His students were on the receiving end of the national debate, which asks whether public schools should teach only the theory of evolution or also include other ideas about human origins.
Kentucky's top education officials this year said evolution should be taught in schools even though state guidelines refer to teaching “change over time” to avoid the e-word.
“To many students and their parents, evolution means you can't believe in God,” said Eugenie Scott, director of the National Center for Science Education in Berkeley, Calif. “Students will never learn what evolution really is if the terminology isn't used.”
Ohio's state science standards say students should learn about “patterns of change,” including evolution. The evolution debate is not playing out in Ohio, said Rowena Douglas, state science consultant.
In Kentucky, “change over time” has been the standard since 1993. The science curriculum does refer to life arising and changing slowly over billions of years but does not call the process “evolution.”
The word “evolution” was added to the guidelines this spring in a review by teachers. That move was supported by the Kentucky Science Teachers Association.
But Education Department staff reverted to “change over time,” saying the word “evolution” conflicted with state sensitivity rules. Those rules say students should not be required to take a personal stance on evolution on the state's assessment tests.
Kentucky science teachers have appealed to the state board of education but the issue has not been discussed. Board member Craig True of Fort Thomas said the debate is a nonissue.
“I'd like people to look at the substance,” Mr. True said. “Regardless of what word we use, we are teaching accurate science to our children.”
The issue appears in Kentucky as the Florence-based Answers in Genesis plans to build a museum with displays that show dinosaurs and humans coexisted, which contradict evolutionary theory. The creationist group argues Earth was created 6,000 years ago in six days, as described in the Bible.
Museum director Ken Ham said he would rather see Kentucky keep the word “evolution” in the science curriculum.
“Change over time? Good grief, mountains change with time. What does that mean? Because evolution is a dominant view in the culture, students need to hear about it,” Mr. Ham said. “Even as a Christian, I want my children to know about evolution. As creationists, we would teach the facts against evolution.”
Some teachers wanted “evolution” in state guidelines to strengthen the curriculum, said Russell Middle School teacher Susan Nichols, president of the Kentucky Science Teachers Association, which is developing a position statement on the issue.
The Kentucky Academy of Science, made up of 800 college and university scientists, passed a resolution in support of using the word and sent it to the Kentucky Board of Education.
Academy president Gordon Weddle, who teaches biology at Campbellsville University, said it is misleading to use terms other than evolution.
“What lay people call a theory we would call a hypothesis,” Mr. Weddle said. “We think it's important for kids to be trained and scientifically literate. Without that, Kentucky never comes into the 21st century.”
Teachers say they do not ask students to believe in evolution, but to understand the concepts.
“We make sure we introduce that they can believe what they want, but this is what science says,” said Howie Collins, science department head at Dixie Heights High School in Edgewood.
“They are not tested on what they believe. They are tested on their understanding of the scientific concepts.”
Such questions must be narrowly drawn, because a 1976 state law requires schools to give students credit if they cite the biblical creation story in answering any question about the origin of Earth, animals and humans.
When faced with outside pressures from parents or the community to teach theories other than evolution or to let creationism into the classroom, the National Science Teachers Association in Arlington, Va., encourages teachers to teach good science.
“Science isn't democratic,” said Gerald Wheeler, executive director. “We have no right to question religious beliefs, and they have no right to bring religion into the classroom.”
Beechwood High's Mr. Rauch and Fred Bassett, the district's superintendent, discussed the best way to present material on evolution.
That's why Mr. Rauch's lessons are filled with the phrases “in scientific thought” or “according to scientific theory.”
“If we want to teach science, then we really do need to teach science,” said Dr. Bassett, who holds a zoology degree. “It not only is a group of facts, but it is a way of thinking that involves questioning, testing and fitting what you learn in a framework to understand the natural world.
“If we don't teach our students how to do that and what has already been learned, then we do them a great disservice.”
Let's have 386 (FUN) with area code
Fire, EMS crews find traffic daunting
About ISO effectiveness ratings
I-71 north reopens after all-day cleanup
Guard answers holiday call to Kuwait
Teachers tiptoe around evolution
GOP shying from gun bill debate
Report touts dam removal benefits
Monroe organizes to oppose Flynt store
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Treatment would end her isolation
Squeezing in some humor
Anonymous 4 merges into one medieval voice
GET TO IT
'Jarboys' croon to young crowd
Over The Rhine blends best band at Christmas show
1st draft of Boone parks study done
Few takers for free health care
Light rail studies back on track
Ludlow budget 6 months late
School kids line halls with donations
Service honors patron saint
Strip club case put on hold
Talawanda weighs levy options
TRISTATE DIGEST
