The Education Blog

The Louisiana House has approved the proposal that wants to let science teachers change the present ways of teaching topics like evolution, cloning and global warming in state public schools. The House voted 94-3 for the proposal.

District Administration reports that the Senate has already agreed to the bill, but it heads back to that chamber for approval of a provision that would allow the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to prohibit supplemental materials it deems inappropriate.

Nevers said he will ask the Senate to approve the amendment. He stressed that the amendment does not require BESE to review all the materials. The state board would only step in if someone raised a question about whether the material was appropriate.

According to NOLA.com, supporters of the new law say the bill, titled the “Louisiana Science Education Act” is designed to promote critical thinking, strengthen education and help teachers who are confused about what’s acceptable for science classes.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a Washington-based advocacy group, said the bill would promote teaching creationism in public schools and said some teachers might use supplemental materials produced by fundamentalist Christian organizations.

Barry Lynn, the executive director of the Americans United for Separation of Church and State, is quoted criticizing any such changes to be made in science teaching syllabus.

“It’s time for Louisiana to step into the 21st century and stop trying to teach religion in public schools. Laws like this are an embarrassment,” Lynn said.

Photo: © Karen Apricot New Orleans

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