The Devil went down to Georgia and

[GePap]

begins to mess with the school curricula

Georgia may shun 'evolution' in schools
Revised curriculum plan outrages science teachers

By MARY MacDONALD
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia students could graduate from high school without learning much about evolution, and may never even hear the word uttered in class.

New middle and high school science standards proposed by state Schools Superintendent Kathy Cox strike references to "evolution" and replace them with the term "biological changes over time," a revision critics say will further weaken learning in a critical subject.

Outraged teachers already have told the state it is undercutting the science education of young Georgians.

"Just like any major issue people need to deal with, you need to know the facts," said David Bechler, head of the biology department at Valdosta State University. A member of the committee that worked on the biology standards, Bechler said he was stunned to learn that evolution was not in the final proposal.

"Whether you believe in creationism or not, evolution should be known and understood by the public," he argued.

Cox declined requests for an interview on the issue. A spokesman issued a statement Wednesday that said: "The discussion of evolution is an age-old debate and it is clear that there are those in Georgia who are passionate on both sides of the issue -- we want to hear from all of them."

Cox, a Republican elected to the state's top public school position in 2002, addressed the issue briefly in a public debate during the campaign. The candidates were asked about a school dispute in Cobb County over evolution and Bible-based teachings on creation.

Cox responded: "It was a good thing for parents and the community to stand up and say we want our children exposed to this [creationism] idea as well. . . . I'd leave the state out of it and I would make sure teachers were well prepared to deal with competing theories."

Gateway course

Biology is a gateway course to future studies of the life sciences. And scientists consider evolution the basis for biology, a scientific explanation for the gradual process that has resulted in the diversity of living things.

If the state does not require teachers to cover evolution thoroughly, only the most politically secure teachers will attempt to do so, said Wes McCoy, a 26-year biology teacher at North Cobb High School. Less experienced teachers will take their cue from the state requirements, he said.

"They're either going to tread very lightly or they're going to ignore it," McCoy said. "Students will be learning some of the components of evolution. They're going to be missing how that integrates with the rest of biology. They may not understand how evolution explains the antibiotic resistance in bacteria."

The state curriculum does not preclude an individual public school system from taking a deeper approach to evolution, or any other topic. And the proposed change would not require school systems to buy new textbooks that omit the word.

But Georgia's curriculum exam, the CRCT, will be rewritten to align with the new curriculum. And the state exam is the basis for federal evaluation, which encourages schools and teachers to focus on teaching the material that will be tested.

A year in the works

The revision of Georgia's curriculum began more than a year ago as an attempt to strengthen the performance of students by requiring greater depth on essential topics. The new curriculum will replace standards adopted in 1984 that have been criticized by many educators as shallow. The state Board of Education is expected to vote on the revised curriculum in May.

The Georgia Department of Education based its biology curriculum on national standards put forth by a respected source, the American Association for the Advancement of Science. But while the state copied most of the national standards, it deleted much of the section that covers the origin of living things.

A committee of science teachers, college professors and curriculum experts was involved in reviewing the proposal. The state did not specify why the references to evolution were removed, and by whom, even to educators involved in the process.

Terrie Kielborn, a middle school science teacher in Paulding County who was on the committee, recalled that Stephen Pruitt, the state's curriculum specialist for science, told the panel not to include the word evolution.

"We were pretty much told not to put it in there," Kielborn said. The rationale was community reaction, she said.

"When you say the word evolution, people automatically, whatever age they are, think of the man-monkey thing," Kielborn said.

Pruitt could not be reached Wednesday for comment.

Cox released the state's proposed new curriculum on Jan. 12 and invited comments on all subject areas for the next three months from parents, teachers and students. She described the new curriculum as world-class and said it provides clear direction to teachers for the first time on what will be expected of students.

Backlash a result

The biology revision was eagerly awaited by a strongly organized network of scientists, university professors and classroom teachers. Several teachers and professors say they are pleased the state adopted large sections of the national standards, which include a strengthened explanation of the nature of science, the function and structure of cells and genetics.

But the treatment of evolution prompted a backlash. More than 600 Georgians, including professors and teachers, by Wednesday had signed an online petition challenging the curriculum as misguided.

If Georgia approves the revised curriculum, the state will be among six that avoid the word "evolution" in science teaching, according to the National Center for Science Education, a nonprofit organization that advocates for evolution instruction.

Many other states, including North Carolina and South Carolina, have adopted national standards that cover evolution in detail.

The word "evolution" itself is important because it is a scientific term, said Sarah Pallas, an associate professor of biology at Georgia State University. "Students need to know the language of science," she said. "They don't need to know euphemisms. It's just silly."

The proposed changes in the Georgia curriculum would leave students with tremendous gaps when they reach college, Pallas said.

"The students from other states always perform better in my classes, and that's a real indictment of the state educational system," the professor said. "North Carolina, another very conservative state, adopted all of the benchmarks. If they can do it in North Carolina, why can't Georgia do it?"

Debate over how and whether to teach evolution has divided communities and states for years.

In metro Atlanta, the Cobb County school system became the center of national attention in 2002 after it placed disclaimers about evolution in science textbooks and adopted a policy that could have allowed discussion of alternate views in science class.

The Cobb superintendent defused the dispute by issuing guidelines for teachers that told them to stick to the state curriculum.

link:http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/met...urriculum.html

[Sava]

I thank god every day that I don't live in that dopey region...

it's ironic that so called "conservatives" who cry about the powerful government and their terrible influence are the very ones USING GOVERNMENT to push their stupid agendas...

[DinoDoc]

I don't like Georgia that much either.

[Sava]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
I don't like Georgia that much either.

why not?

[ixnay]

http://www.theonion.com/onion3631/ch...t_lobbies.html

[Sava]

ixnay: isn't it scary that a lot of real-world headlines sound like they came from the onion?

[Patroklos]

I live in Athens GA at the moment, it is scary here education wise.

UGA is nice though.

[Theben]

Whatever happened to conservatives with brains and a conscience? They're like a vanishing breed.

[Theben]

Originally posted by Sava
ixnay: isn't it scary that a lot of real-world headlines sound like they came from the onion?

Case in point: http://www.theonion.com/4004/top_story.html

Scary part is this sounds like what the admin is trying to say!

[chequita guevara]

Now we won't have to compete with Georgians for good jobs.

[Guynemer]

I seem to recall a very recent debate I was having about "the Democratic Party trying to outlaw Christianity".

I'd love to hear Ghengis' take on this.



Incidentally--"Cox declined requests for an interview on the issue. A spokesman issued a statement Wednesday that said: 'The discussion of evolution is an age-old debate and it is clear that there are those in Georgia who are passionate on both sides of the issue -- we want to hear from all of them.'"

Age-old debate? The debate is OVER. Has been for a while. Just because they can't acknowledge that they lost doesn't mean the debate is still ongoing.

In many ways, this reminds me of the pockets of the South that are still fighting the Civil War...

[MrFun]

this is sad . . . . . . .

[Arrian]

/me points and laughs at Georgia

[MrFun]

There's nothing funny here -- it's tragedy in its purest form.

[Nubclear]

GOD CREATED THE EARTH IN 7 DAYS and ON THE SEVENTH DAY HE RESTED!!!!
ALL BOW YOUR HEADS DOWN TO THE LORD GOD!!!!!!

-Georgian Science Teacher

[MichaeltheGreat]

Originally posted by Guynemer
In many ways, this reminds me of the pockets of the South that are still fighting the Civil War...

That one ain't over yet, Yankee.

[MrFun]

Maybe all neo-Confederates should just move to Cuba if they don't like this country.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by MichaeltheGreat


That one ain't over yet, Yankee.

We already won its aftermath MtG with our poor man's version of Al-Qaeda.

[MrFun]

In other words, intersectional reconciliation through the fraternal spirit of white supremacy.


But anyway, back to the topic of science education and its issues . . . . . . . .

[SlowwHand]

...decided he felt more at home in New York.

[SlowwHand]

And maybe you coonasses should go to Louisiana, except they'd toss you right back out.

[St Leo]

Originally posted by Guynemer In many ways, this reminds me of the pockets of the South that are still fighting the Civil War...

Whoa whoa whoa. Are you saying that there are places in Antarctica that are still fighting the Russian Civil War?

[GePap]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
...decided he felt more at home in New York.

Nah, Texas is more his style..big, hot, full on incest and violence and lies and blasphemy.. yup, sounds like Texas to me.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

AS a father and as a new transplant to GA, this is extremely disconcerting especially in light of the fact that GA is ranked 50th in quality of education.

Fortunately thewife and I picked the best (of the worst state) school district to live in. So at best we can probably hope for average education for our kid(s).

[Theben]

Originally posted by MrFun
In other words, intersectional reconciliation through the fraternal spirit of white supremacy.


But anyway, back to the topic of science education and its issues . . . . . . . .

Mr. Fun is calling for an end to a threadjack!?

Elizabeth! I'm coming 'lizabeth!

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Ogie Oglethorpe
AS a father and as a new transplant to GA, this is extremely disconcerting especially in light of the fact that GA is ranked 50th in quality of education.

Fortunately thewife and I picked the best (of the worst state) school district to live in. So at best we can probably hope for average education for our kid(s).

You are not able to relocate to another state?


Iowa's education system is great.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Theben


Mr. Fun is calling for an end to a threadjack!?

Elizabeth! I'm coming 'lizabeth!

I must be getting a little rusty.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Originally posted by MrFun


You are not able to relocate to another state?


Iowa's education system is great.

Not unlessI want a divorce. (which I don't)

[MrFun]

Ah -- so the queen says no, and you concur.

[Elok]

Um, moving halfway across the country is a pretty big step to make without consulting the womenfolk first, MrFun. I know you personally have no reason to keep them happy, but when they have the power to make your life hell you tend to take them seriously. Men just get aggressive if you make them mad. Women get passive-aggressive, which is far, far, far worse.