(From the AIBS Public Policy Report, Volume 13, Issue 6, March 12, 2012)
Anti-Evolution Legislation in Alabama, Oklahoma
Legislation that would allow the teaching of creationism in schools is moving forward in the Alabama and Oklahoma state legislatures.
In late February, the Alabama House Education Policy Committee passed a bill (HB 133) that would allow local boards of education to award credit for religious instruction. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Blaine Galliher (R-District 30). The bill would “authorize local boards of education to include released time religious instruction as an elective course for high school students.” Some critics of the bill fear that this could allow courses that teach creationism to count towards a student’s diploma.
The Oklahoma House of Representatives Common Education Committee approved legislation on 21 February 2012 that would encourage teachers to present the strengths and weakness of “controversial” topics, including evolution and climate change. The bill, HB 1551, was approved by a 9-7 vote of the committee.
HB 1551 was introduced in 2011 by Rep. Sally Kern (R-District 84). Although the bill was rejected by the House Education Committee last year, the measure could be resurrected by request. Rep. Gus Blackwell (R-District 61) made such a request recently, opening the door to the committee’s reconsideration of the legislation.
Bill Filed to Repeal Louisiana’s Creationism Law
Louisiana state Senator Karen Carter Peterson (D-New Orleans) has introduced legislation that would repeal an anti-evolution education law. SB 374 would repeal the Louisiana Science Education Act, which was signed into law in 2008. Most science education experts consider this law to be a mechanism for advocates of creationism to introduce the concept into the science curriculum.
The repeal effort has the support of several science education associations and scientific societies, including the American Institute of Biological Sciences, American Society of Naturalists, Society for the Study of Evolution, and Society of Systematic Biologists. Additionally, 75 Nobel laureates have written to the Louisiana state legislature in support of overturning the law. In 2011, the New Orleans City Council voted unanimously in favor of repealing the education act.
“This year the Governor has asked the Louisiana legislature to focus on education,” said Senator Peterson. “If this Legislative session is truly about improving Louisiana’s education system, then the first place to start is to repeal the Louisiana Science Education Act.”