Florida's "Evolution Academic Freedom Act"
The Florida legislature is considering an “Academic Freedom Act” originating from Disco. For some background see my earlier post.
The bill has passed its first committee vote with amendments. The amended bill starts as follows:
The Committee on Education Pre-K - 12 (Wise) recommended the
following amendment:2
3
4 Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
5 Delete everything after the enacting clause
6 and insert:
7 Section 1. (1) This section may be cited as the “Evolution
8 Academic Freedom Act.”
9 (2) As used in this section, the term “scientific
10 information” means germane current facts, data, and peer-reviewed
11 research specific to the topic of chemical and biological
12 evolution as prescribed in Florida’s Science Standards.
13 (3) The Legislature finds that current law does not
14 expressly protect the right of teachers to objectively present
15 scientific information relevant to the full range of scientific
16 views regarding chemical and biological evolution.
As Disco is not on trial at the moment, they claim the following “Peer-Reviewed & Peer-Edited Scientific Publications Supporting the Theory of Intelligent Design (Annotated)”: Discovery Institute claims peer reviewed support.
And as regular readers know, they quote mine much of the rest of the scientific literature to read it as they wish.
The entire Florida bill is reproduced below the fold. I have a simple question for readers: how pleased (or not) is Disco with the revised bill, and why?
The Committee on Education Pre-K - 12 (Wise) recommended the following amendment:
2
3
4 Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
5 Delete everything after the enacting clause
6 and insert:
7 Section 1. (1) This section may be cited as the “Evolution
8 Academic Freedom Act.”
9 (2) As used in this section, the term “scientific
10 information” means germane current facts, data, and peer-reviewed
11 research specific to the topic of chemical and biological
12 evolution as prescribed in Florida’s Science Standards.
13 (3) The Legislature finds that current law does not
14 expressly protect the right of teachers to objectively present
15 scientific information relevant to the full range of scientific
16 views regarding chemical and biological evolution. The
17 Legislature finds that in many instances educators have
18 experienced or feared discipline, discrimination, or other
19 adverse consequences as a result of presenting the full range of
20 scientific views regarding chemical and biological evolution. The
21 Legislature further finds that existing law does not expressly
22 protect students from discrimination due to their positions or
23 views regarding biological or chemical evolution. The Legislature
24 finds that the topic of biological and chemical evolution has
25 generated intense controversy about the rights of teachers and
26 students to hold differing views on those subjects. It is
27 therefore the intent of the Legislature that this section
28 expressly protect those rights.
29 (4) Every public school teacher in the state’s K-12 school
30 system shall have the affirmative right and freedom to
31 objectively present scientific information relevant to the full
32 range of scientific views regarding biological and chemical
33 evolution in connection with teaching any prescribed curriculum
34 regarding chemical or biological evolution.
35 (5) A public school teacher in the state’s K-12 school
36 system may not be disciplined, denied tenure, terminated, or
37 otherwise discriminated against for objectively presenting
38 scientific information relevant to the full range of scientific
39 views regarding biological or chemical evolution in connection
40 with teaching any prescribed curriculum regarding chemical or
41 biological evolution.
42 (6) Public school students in the state’s K-12 school
43 system shall be evaluated based upon their understanding of
44 course materials through normal testing procedures. However,
45 students shall not be penalized for subscribing to a particular
46 position or view regarding biological or chemical evolution.
47 (7) The rights and privileges contained in this section
48 apply when the subject of biological or chemical evolution is
49 part of the curriculum. This section does not require or
50 encourage any change in the state curriculum standards for the K-
51 12 public school system.
52 (8) This section does not promote any religious doctrine,
53 promote discrimination for or against a particular set of
54 religious beliefs, or promote discrimination for or against
55 religion or nonreligion.
56 Section 2. This act shall take effect October 1, 2008.
57
58
59 ================ T I T L E A M E N D M E N T ================
60 And the title is amended as follows:
61
62 Delete everything before the enacting clause
63 and insert:
64 A bill to be entitled
65 An act relating to teaching chemical and biological
66 evolution; providing a short title; providing legislative
67 intent; defining the term “scientific information”;
68 providing public school teachers with a right to present
69 scientific information relevant to the full range of views
70 on biological and chemical evolution; prohibiting a
71 teacher from being discriminated against for presenting
72 such information; prohibiting students from being
73 penalized for subscribing to a particular position on
74 evolution; clarifying that the act does not require any
75 change in state curriculum standards or promote any
76 religious position; providing an effective date.