Kansas Dumps Darwin (for sure), raises alarm...

[Leonard Krishtalka]

The opposition was not feeble.  The Board was inundated with letters
opposing the removal of evolution from the science standards, from the
Chancellors and Presidents of the six Regent universities to hosts of
scientists, educators, parents, clergy, etc.  The lesson learned is that a
representative democracy is only as good as its representatives and the
participation of the electorate--very few voted in the Board member
election.  KS is the only state in union with an elected rather than
appointed Board of Education, hence out of control of the Governor or
legislature.  It shows what a minority can accomplish when the majority
does not participate in the electoral process -- an apathy that occurs in
all states as well as nationally, unfortunately.

This event has served as a wake-up call to all, however.  It is likely that
the creationists on the board will be voted out next election.  Legislation
will be introduced in the next legislative session to abolish the board.
Lawsuits are being contemplated to reverse the decision.  And local school
boards are being urged to follow the real science (including evolution)
curriculum standards drawn up (but rejected) by the board-appointed panel
of scientists and educators.  Many will do so.  This is, to be sure, a step
back into the pre-Enlightenment that is embarassing to virtually everyone
(except 6 of 10 board members) living in this state.  But it will be
short-term and will be reversed.


At 01:09 PM 25-08-99 -0500, Hugh Wilson wrote:
>Also, I don't think any of this is 'overblown'.  The creationists
>pulled off a major victory in Kansas and, given the feeble nature of
>the opposition, I would guess that this approach will be used
>elsewhere (but surely not in Texas).
>

__________________________________________________________
Leonard Krishtalka
Director                                Professor
Natural History Museum          Department of Ecology and
  &  Biodiversity Research Center       Evolutionary Biology
The University of Kansas                The University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045

785/864-4540 phone
785/864-5335 fax
kris at falcon.cc.ukans.edu
krishtalka at ukans.edu