Yay For Ohio

15 February, 2006. 267 words.

This has been a very slow day for news. (Unless you like reading about birdshot and political conspiracy theories, that is.)

At first, I thought Ohio drops anti-evolution teaching plan was just another average victory in the war against Bruce Chapman and the Discovery Institute. Yipee, I thought. Then I read somewhere that the lesson plan in question was called a “Critical Analysis of Evolution.” That didn’t sound so bad. In fact, I thought, it sounded like a good thing. Maybe Ohio was being a bit too hasty. After all, any theory-good, bad, or indifferent-could use some critical analysis from time to time.

So I went looking for the lesson plan in question. I found a “draft” copy here.

This lesson allows students to critically analyze five different aspects of evolutionary theory. As new scientific data emerge, scientists’ understandings of the natural world may become enhanced, modified or even changed all together. Using library and Internet sources, groups of students will conduct background research for one of the aspects of evolution in preparation for a critical analysis discussion.

It doesn’t sound so much like a critical analysis as a witch hunt. The lesson plan seems to be saying that there is a distinct possibility that evolution is wrong, and students are encouraged to look more closely at five areas where there are anomolies. (Ignoring the other areas where there are no anomolies.)

So I stand by my original response and say bravo to the Ohio Board of Education for stopping yet another sneaky attempt by the Discovery Institute to “make up… um, I mean teach… the controversy.”

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