There have been a few limited skirmishes in Virginia over ID in the universities. Up until now the public school issue has been quiet. But are things set to change?
Ed Brayton brought this article to my attention: Evolution vs. Intelligent Design
How were the oceans, puppies and human beings formed? Was it through evolution, creationism or something in between?
It’s a heavy topic that’s generated debate for years. That discourse landed in Chesterfield School Board members’ laps…
Intelligent design proponents urged the School Board to include that theory in the school system’s science curriculum so students can consider differing viewpoints in the classroom. But, federal law requires school systems to remain neutral on the topic, making it illegal for teachers to prompt discussions involving intelligent design or creationism.
I have mixed to negative feelings about these sort of pro-ID public school efforts. Do these guys know nothing about what happened in Dover? Of course, I might have a different view if the textbook the ID proponents had in mind was something like Explore Evolution.
Though I may not like it, I think parents like Richard Dawkins and PZ Myers have the right to raise their kids to be Darwinists (I seem to recall PZ blowing a gasket when his younger son brought home some creationist literature). If they believe in their heart Darwinism is good for their kids, that is their privilege as parents to raise their kids as Darwinists. Same goes for Darwinist parents in Virginia who inisist on raising their kids to be Darwinists like them. Thus, I am reluctant to advocate policies which may infringe on their rights, or at least policies they perceive infringe on their rights.
Aside from school baords, there are other avenues that can be exploited to teach ID in public schools. [See: Did Judge Jones actually open the door to teaching ID in public schools? and How to sneak ID and creationism into the public schools and Lancaster School District Approach, etc. ]
ID proponents in Chesterfield Virginia are invited to touch base with their comrades in Farifax Virginia to share notes and strategize on these issues. School boards fights may be the least effective ways to get ID into the hands of public school children. There are other, more effective avenues which are under the radar and out of the reach of Darwinists.
Here is also the News Release from Chesterfield County
The School Board is cognizant that technology now allows easy access to an almost infinite number of resources facilitating learning. To suggest that we should limit our students’ access to specifically approved textbooks and instructional materials would not only inhibit self-directed learning but would also ill-prepare our young people for the challenges that will face them in the competitive global market of the 21st century.
“easy access to an almost infinite number of resources facilitating learning”
Hmm….