Evolution-Creationism Debate Flares After Top Educator's Resignation

The evolution-creationism debate in Texas has flared up again over what officials call the "forced resignation" of the state's top science educator.

A group of more than 100 Texas professors, including some from UT, said state educators should not have to remain neutral while teaching evolution.

"Intelligent design is a religious idea that deserves no place in the science classroom," said assistant professor Daniel Bolnick from his lab on the University of Texas campus. "I really just want to communicate to the state board that we're keeping an eye on the quality of evolution education, and that there's no justification for watering it down."

The group of professors sent the letter after the Texas Education Agency said it forced the resignation of Christina Castillo-Comer, the state's former director of science curriculum. She sent an e-mail to tell Austin-area teachers about a lecture against creationism.

"All I said, was FYI, that's it," Castillo-Comer said.

"There was a concern that it didn't look as impartial as it should have," said Debbie Ratcliffe of the TEA.

The agency said the e-mail combined with prior work history led to her forced resignation.

"Even if this situation had been reversed, her managers still would not have felt comfortable with that, that e-mail," Ratcliffe said.

The e-mail and resignation come as educators will vote next year on the curriculum for science education.

"I was even told at a meeting earlier, at a meeting a month earlier, that if our company line was creationism, then that's what I would have to say," Castillo-Comer said.

The company line, at least for now, is neutrality.

"We're not the policymaker, we're the facilitator, we carry it out," Ratcliffe said.
Castillo-Comer said she's investigated filing a lawsuit.

"I've been maligned, I've been embarrassed, and I think that I have to do something about that," Castillo-Comer said.

Professors said the opinions in the letter they sent are not necessarily those of the institutions they teach at.

The curriculum will be voted on next year.

Updated: Dec 11, 2007 11:01 PM EST
*************************************************************************************
What is evolution?
Biological evolution refers to how living things change over time. Mutations (or changes in genes) cause living things to be different and their offspring to be different as well. Which beings are successful and live long enough to reproduce causes changes as well. Together, these changes make the entire species different over time.
What is intelligent design?
The theory of intelligent design holds that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not a undirected process like evolution. It is different from creationism because it is not specific about the “intelligence” behind the design. It is also different from creationism because scientists are testing the theory.

What is Creationism?
In the Christian religion, it is the assertion that God created the world as it says in the bible and humans were also created by God. Other religions have other creation stories relying on a god or goddess.

Do you think that Evolution should be taught in schools? Intelligent Design? Creationism?

Should religions or comparative religions be part of high school curriculum?

Who should have control over what content is taught in a high school classroom? Teachers? Curriculum specialists? Administrators?

Do you think it was right or wrong that this teacher was forced to resign?

Should each district be allowed to decide what is taught in their schools or should it be decided at the state or even national level?
REMEMBER TO BE RESPECTFUL!!!!!
*********************************************************************************