Topic: Tennessee's Anti-Evolution Bill Becomes Law.

[drwfishesman]

But the Governor was too much of a spineless coward to sign it...and too much of a spineless coward to veto it.

http://www.waaytv.com/news/local/story/Haslam-sidesteps-Evolution-Bill-allows-it-to/T13Eota8bkq810bAauOMrQ.cspx

[Neon Genesis]

Feel sorry for me because this is the state I live in.

[Rabbit]

I don't get it. Are you not allowed to criticise evolution in schools?  That would be an excellent way to teach it in my opinion.

[seaotter]

I don't get it. Are you not allowed to criticise evolution in schools?  That would be an excellent way to teach it in my opinion.

I love, when I get a question criticizing evolution. Hardly ever do, cause they know I'm going to answer the fuck out of the question. Students have free speech rights. I don't see why you need a law. Anybody have the actual text of this law?

[seaotter]

We did holes in condoms today, so I'm taking tomorrow off to work on my post count. It was very disheartening to see how many had heard the holes red herring.

[drwfishesman]

I don't get it. Are you not allowed to criticise evolution in schools?  That would be an excellent way to teach it in my opinion.

I love, when I get a question criticizing evolution. Hardly ever do, cause they know I'm going to answer the fuck out of the question. Students have free speech rights. I don't see why you need a law. Anybody have the actual text of this law?

The whole law is on this Blog

http://freethoughtblogs.com/wwjtd/2012/04/10/oh-look-public-schools-in-tn-can-teach-creationism/

[seaotter]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 10, is amended by
adding the following as a new, appropriately designated section:

(a) The general assembly finds that:

(1) An important purpose of science education is to inform students about
scientific evidence and to help students develop critical thinking skills necessary
to becoming intelligent, productive, and scientifically informed citizens;

(2) The teaching of some scientific subjects, including, but not limited to,
biological evolution, the chemical origins of life, global warming, and human
cloning, can cause controversy; and

(3) Some teachers may be unsure of the expectations concerning how
they should present information on such subjects.

(b) The state board of education, public elementary and secondary school
governing authorities, directors of schools, school system administrators, and public
elementary and secondary school principals and administrators shall endeavor to create
an environment within public elementary and secondary schools that encourages
students to explore scientific questions, learn about scientific evidence, develop critical
thinking skills, and respond appropriately and respectfully to differences of opinion about
controversial issues.

(c) The state board of education, public elementary and secondary school
governing authorities, directors of schools, school system administrators, and public- 2 – 00242666
elementary and secondary school principals and administrators shall endeavor to assist
teachers to find effective ways to present the science curriculum as it addresses
scientific controversies. Toward this end, teachers shall be permitted to help students
understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths
and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories covered in the course being
taught.

(d) Neither the state board of education, nor any public elementary or secondary
school governing authority, director of schools, school system administrator, or any
public elementary or secondary school principal or administrator shall prohibit any
teacher in a public school system of this state from helping students understand,
analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific
weaknesses of existing scientific theories covered in the course being taught.

(e) This section only protects the teaching of scientific information, and shall not
be construed to promote any religious or non-religious doctrine, promote discrimination
for or against a particular set of religious beliefs or non-beliefs, or promote discrimination
for or against religion or non-religion.

SECTION 2. By no later than the start of the 2011-2012 school term, the department of
education shall notify all directors of schools of the provisions of this act. Each director shall
notify all employees within the director’s school system of the provisions of this act.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.

Redundant. Could be worse. It does provide more cover to creationist teachers.

[Plasmodium vivax]

Does it apply to sex-ed?

[Neon Genesis]

Does it apply to sex-ed?

Not if you want to talk about gay sex.

[Plasmodium vivax]

I don't... see that exception.

[NekoNinja]

I don't think evolution was ever even really brought up when I was in school. It was pretty much only vaguely mentioned from what I remember...

[stretcher]

I don't think evolution was ever even really brought up when I was in school. It was pretty much only vaguely mentioned from what I remember...

It was definitely taught in my high school, but they didn't delve too deeply in the text - just a quick glossing over of the discovery, descent with modification was covered, and not much more that I can remember. The teachers were always happy to elaborate or expand on the topic when asked though. It wasn't even controversial to anyone. I wonder if I went back to my high school now, after the rise of Fox News and fundies on the Internet, if it would be.

[seaotter]

Anecdote alert! I've noticed a huge shift in students and peer pressure. I don't know if it's good or bad, but fundy questions have almost completely disappeared in my 15 years in the classroom. When I first started god did it came up all the time. But gradually kids have gotten less inclined to share their views on evolution and the big bang. I think it's because they actually have atheist peers who call them on bullshit and even ridicule their beliefs. I really should do a unit on evolution.

[Guillermo]

We were taught that evolution was a fact and that's how everything evolved. But we didn't delve to much about it, mostly deal with like one chapter about it, on 2 grades or something. But it was never questioned or thought about it as controversial. I'm lucky that my country mostly accepts evolution. We are a predominantly catholic country, but then again, Catholicism is one of the few denominations that accepts evolution.

[Xptical]

Does it apply to sex-ed?

Seems pretty limited to science things.  Maybe some clever teacher will use it to start talking about sex and sexuality.