Archives

December 9, 2006: » Taft Appoints Three to Ohio Board of Education

Outgoing Ohio Governor Bob Taft has announced the appointments of three members to the Ohio Board of Education:

Stephen M. Millett
Jennifer L. Sheets
Carl Wick

Their terms will run January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2010. (See also Governor Taft Plans to Appoint Four School Board Members)

Millett, Sheets, and Wick are current board members, appointed by Taft four years ago to terms expiring December 31, 2006.

December 6, 2006: » Governor Taft Plans to Appoint Four School Board Members
Will Not Name Ayone Who Doesn't Back Teaching of Evolution

The Ohio Board of Education is made up of 19 members - 11 elected and eight appointed by the governor. The terms of four gubernatorial appointees (Richard Baker, Stephen M. Millett, Jennifer L. Sheets, and Carl Wick) expire December 31, 2006.

The December 6 Columbus Dispatch (registration required) reported that outgoing Governor Bob Taft plans to fill these vacancies before leaving office on January 7.

From the Dispatch story:

Looking back yesterday on his eight years as governor, Bob Taft said one of the lessons he learned was to ensure that potential appointees to the state Board of Education don't support teaching intelligent design in public-school science classes.

"I learned that lesson about four years ago," Taft said, a reference to previous appointees who backed intelligent design, the idea that life is too complex to have evolved without an unnamed intelligence, perhaps God.

Taft said he plans to appoint four new members to the board before he leaves office and that he will not name anyone who doesn't back the teaching of evolution.

"I want people who are really committed to teaching good science in school, and I think that intelligent design does not play a role in the science curriculum," Taft said.

November 4, 2006: » Ohio Board of Education Elections, November 7, 2006

Updated November 7, 2006 and November 8, 2006

On November 7, voters elected five members to the Ohio Board of Education, in Districts 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8.

Ohio residents may refer to this map at the Ohio Department of Education website to determine the district in which they reside.

Below is a listing of candidates in each district. Incumbents are marked with an asterisk.

Update: Election results are posted below.

District 2

992 of 992 precincts reporting

Kenneth Ault4278118%
John R. Bender8832337%
Roland Hansen221089%
Kathleen A. McGervey8331635%

District 3

938 of 938 precincts reporting

Mike Anagnostou2726211%
*Thomas W. Gunlock7506332%
Susan M. Haverkos8920438%
James K. Uphoff4603419%

District 4

1046 of 1046 precincts reporting

John Hritz7123733%
*G. R. Schloemer14486467%

District 7

1005 of 1005 precincts reporting

John T Jones171546%
David Kovacs3378912%
*Deborah Owens Fink8364129%
Thomas C. Sawyer15779854%

District 8

1076 of 1076 precincts reporting

Deborah L. Cain14055452%
*Jim Craig12794048%

* = incumbent

Results supplied by AP.

Elections for the Ohio Board of Education are non-partisan, so no party affiliations are given for any of the candidates.

In January and February of 2006, the Ohio Board of Education voted on resolutions to delete a creationist lesson plan from the model curriculum. The February vote referred the issue to the Board's Achievement Committee. In October, the Board of Education voted to discharge the Achievement Committee from further consideration of the issue. Here's how the board members voted:

November 4, 2006: » Ohio Board of Education Elections, November 7, 2006

On November 7, voters will elect five members to the Ohio Board of Education, in Districts 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8.

Ohio residents may refer to this map at the Ohio Department of Education website to determine the district in which they reside.

Below is a listing of candidates in each district. Incumbents are marked with an asterisk. This posting will be updated with election results on November 7-8.

District 2

Kenneth Ault
John R. Bender
Roland Hansen
Kathleen A. McGervey

District 3

Mike Anagnostou
*Thomas W. Gunlock
Susan M. Haverkos
James K. Uphoff

District 4

John Hritz
*G. R. Schloemer

District 7

John T Jones
David Kovacs
*Deborah Owens Fink
Thomas C. Sawyer

District 8

Deborah L. Cain
*Jim Craig

* = incumbent

Elections for the Ohio Board of Education are non-partisan, so no party affiliations are given for any of the candidates. Ohio Citizens for Science can not make recommendations, but we encourage you to research the positions of the candidates before casting a vote.

In January and February of 2006, the Ohio Board of Education voted on resolutions to delete a creationist lesson plan from the model curriculum. The February vote referred the issue to the Board's Achievement Committee. In October, the Board of Education voted to discharge the Achievement Committee from further consideration of the issue. You may find it useful to see how the board members voted:

October 24, 2006: » Ken Miller Talks in Ohio - Update

Updated October 27, 2006

Trick My Vote:
Science, Intellectual Courage, and the Battle for America's Soul

Thursday, October 26
11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Ford Auditorium, Allen Memorial Medical Library
11000 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland

More information

Science, God, & Intelligent Design
Why All of These Matter in the 2006 Ohio School Board Elections

Cincinnati:

Thursday, October 26
7:00 p.m.
The Clarion Hotel
I-71 & Pfeiffer Road Ð (Exit 15)

Columbus:

Friday, October 27
11:30 a.m.
The Ohio State University
Byrd Polar Research Center
240 Scott Hall
1090 Carmack Rd.
Columbus

Kent:

Friday, October 27
4:00 p.m.
Kent State University
Room 310, Student Center

Akron:

Friday, October 27
7:00 p.m.
University of Akron
Room 110, Zook Hall

Bowling Green - UPDATE:

The Miller talk in Bowling Green has been cancelled

Oberlin:

Saturday, October 28
1:00 p.m.
First Church
106 North Main Street
Oberlin

These lectures are free and open to the public.

Kenneth R. Miller, Ph.D. is Professor of Biology at Brown University. He is the bestselling author of Finding Darwin's God, co-author of high school biology textbooks, and an expert witness in the Kitzmiller v. Dover School District "intelligent design" trial in 2005.

Professor Miller is a scientist and a believer, who sees religious faith and science as fully compatible --including Darwinian evolution. He has worked to improve the public understanding of evolution, answering challenges such as "intelligent design" and debating a number of anti-evolutionists. Miller believes it is crucial for America to move past the false assertion that people have to somehow choose between accepting evolution and believing in God.

October 24, 2006: » Upcoming Events at OSU

The Ohio State University will be hosting a panel discussion and a series of lectures.

Panel Discussion

November 2, 2006, 7:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion of the Two Cultures:
Science and Religion in the Age of Darwin
The Fawcett Center Auditorium
2400 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, Ohio

Lectures

November 1, 2006, 7:00 p.m.
John F. Haught
God After Darwin: Can Faith and Evolution Be Reconciled?
264 Macquigg Laboratory
105 W Woodruff Ave
Columbus, Ohio
November 2, 2006, 1:30 p.m.
Edward J. Larson
A Brief History of the Evolution Teaching Controversy: From Dayton, TN to Dover, PA
264 Macquigg Laboratory
105 W Woodruff Ave
Columbus, Ohio
November 2, 2006, 3:00 p.m.
Holmes Rolston, III
Generating Life on Earth: Six Looming Questions
264 Macquigg Laboratory
105 W Woodruff Ave
Columbus, Ohio
November 3, 2006, 10:00 a.m.
Owen Gingerich
How Galileo Changed the Rules of Science
162Hopkins Hall
128 N Oval Mall
Columbus, Ohio

More information

The panel discussion and lectures are free and open to the public.

Sponsored by the College of Biological Sciences, the College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, the College of Humanities, the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, the Colleges of the Arts & Sciences, the Institute for Research & Public Humanities, and the Department of Entomology.

October 19, 2006: » Ken Miller Talks in Ohio

Updated October 20, 2006

Science, God, & Intelligent Design
Why All of These Matter in the 2006 Ohio School Board Elections

Cincinnati:

Thursday, October 26
7:00 p.m.
The Clarion Hotel
I-71 & Pfeiffer Road Ð (Exit 15)

Kent:

Friday, October 27
4:00 p.m.
Kent State University
Room 310, Student Center

Oberlin:

Saturday, October 28
1:00 p.m.
First Church
106 North Main Street
Oberlin

These lectures are free and open to the public.

Kenneth R. Miller, Ph.D. is Professor of Biology at Brown University. He is the bestselling author of Finding Darwin's God, co-author of high school biology textbooks, and an expert witness in the Kitzmiller v. Dover School District "intelligent design" trial in 2005.

Professor Miller is a scientist and a believer, who sees religious faith and science as fully compatible --including Darwinian evolution. He has worked to improve the public understanding of evolution, answering challenges such as "intelligent design" and debating a number of anti-evolutionists. Miller believes it is crucial for America to move past the false assertion that people have to somehow choose between accepting evolution and believing in God.

October 12, 2006: » Audio From October Board of Education Meetings

The Achievement Committee of the Ohio Board of Education met on October 9. It was expected that there would be a vote on Resolution 31 at this meeting, but no vote transpired. (See Board of Education Achievement Committee Once More Defers Action.)

Here is a wav recording of a brief discussion of Resolution 31 at the meeting.

On October 10, the full board considered a motion to discharge the Achievement Committee "from further consideration of Resolution 31 and anything arising therefrom, including the template for teaching controversial issues." (See Board of Education Discharges Achievement Committee From Consideration of Resolution 31.) The motion was approved.

Here is a recording of the discussion and vote on the motion, in mp3 format.

The first speaker is Matthew DeTemple, Chief Legal Counsel of The Ohio Department of Education, acting as board parliamentarian.

See also this Panda's Thumb post.

October 10, 2006: » Board of Education Discharges Achievement Committee From Consideration of Resolution 31

In February the Ohio Board of Education passed Resolution 31, which deleted from the model curriculum a creationist lesson plan, "Critical Analysis of Evolution." Also deleted at that time were parts of the benchmarks and indicators that singled out evolution for special attention. (See this story on the February meeting.)

Resolution 31 also gave a charge to the Achievement Committee:

The Achievement Committee of the State Board of Education is charged to consider whether the deleted model lesson, Benchmark H and Indicator 23 should be replaced by a different lesson, benchmark, and indicator, and if so, to present any recommendation to the entire State Board for adoption.

As noted in an earlier story, the Achievement Committee was expected to vote to kill Resolution 31 at its October 9 meeting. In today's Canton Repository (registration required), Lynn Elfner, CEO of The Ohio Academy of Science, is quoted: "...the Ohio Academy of Science reached an agreement with [Achievement Committee co-chair Jim] Craig and board member Colleen Grady to kill the critical analysis effort ... That was their promise."

At today's meeting of the Ohio Board of Education, the full board responded to the Achievement Committee's lack of action on Resolution 31. The following motion was approved, by a vote of 14-3:

RESOLVED, That the Achievement Committee of the State Board of Education, having recommended no response to Board Resolution 31 referred to it in February 2006, is hereby discharged from further consideration of Resolution 31 and anything arising therefrom, including the template for teaching controversial issues.

Here's how the school board members voted

Martha Wise proposed and Rob Hovis seconded the motion. It was introduced as new business, and the customary 30 day waiting period was waived in a 13-4 vote that declared the motion an emergency measure.

The motion effectively kills any attempts to revive the creationist lesson plan in the Achievement Committee.

October 10, 2006: » Board of Education Achievement Committee Once More Defers Action

No Action on Resolution 31 or "Controversial Issues" Template

Resolution 31, passsed by the Ohio Board of Education in February, deleted the model lesson plan "Critical Analysis of Evolution" and deleted parts of the benchmarks and indicators that singled out evolution. The resolution also gave the following charge to the Acievement Committee:

The Achievement Committee of the State Board of Education is charged to consider whether the deleted model lesson, Benchmark H and Indicator 23 should be replaced by a different lesson, benchmark, and indicator, and if so, to present any recommendation to the entire State Board for adoption.

After eight months, the Achievement Committee has failed to comply with this charge. Based on comments made by several board members, a vote on the issue was expected at yesterday's Achievement Committee meeting. None transpired.

(See also the Columbus Dispatch article of October 7 (subscription required), in which it was noted that "Some members privately have discussed calling for a vote...")

The Achievement Committee has been considering a "Controversial Issues" Template, which is widely viewed as an attempt to reintroduce "Critical-Analysis" of evolution into the classroom. (See the OCS Response to the "Controversial Issues" Template.)

Some board members claim that the template has nothing to do with "Critical-Analysis" of evolution. It is curious, then, that the Discovery Institute has chimed in with their support of the document.

September 21, 2006: » Upcoming Events

God After Darwin

Jack Haught
Georgetown University
Saturday, October 7
2 - 4 p.m.
Strosacker Auditorium
Case Western Reserve University
2125 Adelbert Road
Cleveland, Ohio

John Haught looks at our conception of God in the light of evolutionary theory, and in relation to the anti-evolution movement, especially "intelligent-design." A theologian by training, Haught sees the ongoing debate between Darwinian evolutionists and Christian apologists as fundamentally misdirected. Haught suggests that what is lacking in both camps is the notion of novelty &mdash a necessary component of evolution and the essence of the unfolding of divine Mystery. He argues that Darwin's view of life, rather than being hostile to religion, actually provides a rich foundation for mature reflection on God, cosmic purpose, and the meaning of life. Solidly grounded in scholarship, Haught's explanations of the relationship between theology and evolution are accessible and engaging, and provide a positive path forward.

Jack Haught is Landegger Distinguished Professor of Theology at Georgetown University.

More details are available here.

Co-sponsored by the College Scholars Program and the Hallinan Center

A New Enlightenment:
Rational Discourse in Today's World

Saturday, September 23
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sheraton Independence Hotel
5300 Rockside Road
Independence, Ohio 44131

Featured Speakers:

  • Chris Mooney
    Author, "The Republican War on Science"
  • Margaret Downey
    Humanist, Activist, Founder of the Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia
  • Frank Zindler
    Former Editor, American Atheist Magazine
    Author, "The Jesus the Jews Never Knew"
  • Gary Daniels
    Litigation Coordinator, ACLU of Ohio
  • C. Dennis McKinsey
    Internet host of "The Biblical Errancy Show"

More details are available here.

Sponsored by CFI Community of Northeast Ohio

September 14, 2006: » Defending the Separation of Church & State in Difficult Times: Rob Boston

Sunday, September 17, 2006
3:00 p.m.
North Congregational UCC
2040 W. Henderson Rd.
Columbus, OH 43220

Robert Boston is assistant director of communications for Americans United for Separation of Church and State and assistant editor of AU's monthly Church & State magazine. He has been monitoring the Religious Right for 15 years and is the author of three books:

  • Why the Religious Right Is Wrong About the Separation of Church & State
  • The Most Dangerous Man in America? Pat Robertson and the Rise of the Christian Coalition
  • Close Encounters with the Religious Right: Journeys into the Twilight Zone of Religion and Politics.

His articles have appeared in numerous publications, including Liberty, The Freedom Writer, Jewish Monthly and Free Inquiry. He has also appeared on many TV programs including NBC's "Nightly News" and CNN's "Headline News."

This meeting is free and open to the public

Sponsored by The Central Ohio Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church & State

For more information, see the flyer.

September 13, 2006: » Board of Education Defers Action on "Controversial Issues" Template

Updated September 21, 2006

On September 11, the Achievement Committee of the Ohio Board of Education considered the "Controversial Issues" Template, drafted by a staff member of the Ohio Department of Education. This was the final item on the agenda of the Achievement Committee meeting.

The document was distributed to committee members. After a pause, there was a motion for adjournment from Deborah Owens-Fink. Although the motion did not receive a second, the meeting was adjourned.

The full board met on September 12. The template was not discussed by the board at this meeting.

Updated September 21: Recordings from the September 11 meeting.

During the September 11 Achievement Committee meeting, the minutes of the July 10 meeting were amended before approval.

Here is an mp3 recording of that discussion. For comparison, here is an mp3 recording of the relevant portion of the July 10 meeting.

Here is an mp3 recording of the final moments of the September 11 meeting, including the motion for adjournment described above.

September 9, 2006: » Ohio Citizens for Science Responds to "Controversial Issues" Template

Ohio Citizens for Science has prepared a statement regarding the draft "Controversial Issues" template:

"Controversial Issues" Response (pdf)

Here is the Executive Summary of the statement:

The Ohio Board of Education's proposed Controversy Template is incoherent if, as its major proponent has stated, it will have teachers and students "challenge everything." It is impossible to challenge everything in each school class; to even attempt such a thing would result in chaos and no learning. Clearly the template is in fact the latest step in ongoing efforts to orchestrate a religiously motivated attack on the theory of evolution (as detailed below). That explains why its content was kept secret as long as possible. While science relies constantly on genuine critical analysis, it does not use denigrating debate tools based on political propaganda and ill-informed by evidence. The Board must call the question and vote down this transparent ploy.

Continue reading ...

September 7, 2006: » "Controversial Issues" Template

On Monday, September 11, the Achievement Committee of the Ohio Board of Education will be considering a "Controversial Issues" template.

Here is a pdf version of a draft of the document.

August 31, 2006: » Upcoming Events

First Freedom First Forum

September 5, 2006
Reception-6:30 pm, Forum-7:15 pm - 9:15 pm
The Thurber Center
The Algonquin Room
91 Jefferson Avenue
Columbus, Ohio

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."

Suzie Armstrong, Vice-President of The Interfaith Alliance Foundation, will facilitate a conversation with panelists about profound and contemporary issues as understood through religious liberties.

Please RSVP, with your name and number of guests to
eshutt@interfaithalliance.org or call Eric at 202.639.6370, X130,
Or to Donna Red Wing at dredwing@interfaithalliance.org

There is no charge.

Check the flyer for this event.

Please sign the First Freedom First petition at: www.firstfreedomfirst.org

First Freedom First is a joint project of The Interfaith Alliance Foundation and Americans United for Separation of Church and State

Evolution and Development of the Locomotor Organs in Whales and Dolphins

Professor Hans Thewissen
Northeast Ohio Universities
College of Medicine

Tuesday, September 12 at 4:30 p.m.
DeGrace Hall Room 312
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, Ohio

Sponsored by Evolutionary Biology and the College Scholars Program

Check the flyer for this event.

God After Darwin

John Haught
Saturday, October 7 at 1 p.m.
Strosacker Auditorium
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, Ohio
July 11, 2006: » Ohio Board of Education Achievement Committee Discusses "Critical-Analysis" of Evolution & Global Warming

At the February meeting of the Ohio Board of Education, the "Critical Analysis of Evolution" lesson plan was deleted from the state board-approved curriculum, along with Indicator 23 and part of Benchmark H. The Board's Achievement Committee was charged with considering

... whether the deleted model lesson, Benchmark H and Indicator 23 should be replaced by a different lesson, benchmark, and indicator, and if so, to present any recommendation to the entire State Board for adoption.

In the July 10 meeting of the Achievement Committee, board member Colleen Grady submitted for discussion an amendment to an existing indicator:

Describe that scientists may disagree about explanations of phenomena, about interpretation of data or about the value of rival theories, but they do agree that questioning, response to criticism and open communication are integral to the process of science.

According to a version made available to some board members before the meeting, the amendment added:

Discuss and be able to apply this in the following areas:
Earth and Space
a) Global warming
Life Sciences
a) Evolutionary Theory
Physical Sciences
No indicators in grade 10
Science and Technology
a) Emerging technologies and how they may impact society, e.g. cloning or stem cell research

The version submitted to the Achievement Committee on July 10 omitted the references to cloning and stem cell research. The committee took no action on the proposal, but will be reconsidering it at its next meeting in September.

Here is an audio recording of the relevant portion of the Achievement Committee meeting, in mp3 format.

May 18, 2006: » Playboy Foundation Awards Patricia Princehouse Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award

The Playboy Foundation has announced the winners of the 2006 Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Awards. One of the award winners is Patricia Princehouse, a founding member of Ohio Citizens for Science.

The Playboy Foundation's press release includes this commendation:

Patricia Princehouse, Ph.D. (Education): The leader of Ohio Citizens for Science who, seeing a profound and rising challenge to the separation of church and state in American schools, organized a successful coalition to preserve science education in Ohio's public schools.

Congratulations Patricia!

Patricia's acceptance speech has been posted at The Nation.

See also Why We Do This at Panda's Thumb.

March 9, 2006: » Steven Gey Lecture at The Ohio State University, March 16 at 7:00 p.m.: Is It Science Yet? Dover and the Demise of Design

Updated March 16, 2006

CANCELLED: The Ohio State University has cancelled Professor Gey's lecture because of travel problems - his flight to Columbus has been cancelled

Steven G. Gey is the David and Deborah Fonvielle and Donald and Janet Hinkle Professor at the Florida State University College of Law.

He is a leading scholar on the ramifications of "intelligent design" education, and Ohio policy after the Dover, PA decision on evolution education.

Thursday, March 16, 7:00 p.m.
Saxbe Auditorium
Drinko Hall
Moritz College of Law
The Ohio State University
(55 W. 12th Avenue, between High St. and College Ave.)

Flyer for Gey lecture

Sponsored by:
Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society
Ohio Citizens for Science
Graduate Students of Anthropology Association

February 28, 2006: » New Resources

Updated March 2, 2006

Updated September 4, 2006

Speciation

At the February 14 meeting of the Ohio Board of Education, the Achievement Committee was charged with considering whether the deleted lesson plan Critical Analysis of Evolution should be replaced by a different lesson, and if so to present any recommendation to the entire State Board for adoption.

The following lesson plan has been prepared by OCS member Steve Rissing as an example of such a replacement lesson. It shows how current areas of active inquiry and discussion in biology can be presented with grade-appropriate rigor in a pedagogically effective manner. The first two files are in Microsoft Word format.

Speciation Lesson - Teacher Version

Speciation Lesson - Student Version

Supplemental PowerPoint: How New Species Form

Common Ground

OCS members Ted Scharf and Phil Geis have prepared an essay Evolution vs. Young Earth and Intelligent Design Creationism in Ohio's Public School Curriculum: Finding the Common Ground. Portions of this appeared as an op-ed in The Cincinnati Enquirer on January 29, 2006.

Common Ground

February 28, 2006: » Board of Education Debate: Transcript and Related Matters

On February 14, 2006 the Ohio Board of Education voted to delete the model lesson plan Critical Analysis of Evolution and the "critical-analysis" portions of the standards. Ohio Citizens for Science has prepared an unofficial transcript of this historic debate and vote:
Transcript

The transcript was based on an mp3 recording made by OCS member Richard Hoppe:
Recording

The transcript refers to a document Analysis of Ohio's "Critical-Analysis" Standard and Lesson Plan, which was distributed to board members at the meeting. It is available here as a pdf document:
Critical Analysis Analysis

During the board meeting, posters prepared by Ohio Citizens for Science were on display. The following page contains these posters, as well as the cartoon commentary of Hank and Tom McIver.
Posters & Cartoon

February 14, 2006: » Ohio Board of Education Votes 11-4 to Delete Creationist Lesson Plan from Model Curriculum and Critical Analysis Indicator from Science Standards

Updated February 15, 2006

At the February 14, 2006 meeting of the Ohio Board of Education, the creationist lesson plan Critical Analysis of Evolution was deleted, by a vote of 11-4, from the model curriculum.

How the school board members voted

An audio recording of the Board of Education debate and vote (mp3 format)

The lesson plan had been linked to the following indicator in the Academic Content Standards:

Describe how scientists continue to investigate and critically analyze aspects of evolutionary theory. (The intent of this indicator does not mandate the teaching of intelligent design.)

The same resolution that called for the deletion of the lesson plan also called for deletion of this indicator and the same wording in Benchmark H. All are now gone.

Ohio Citizens for Science has put out this press release:

For Immediate Release

The Directors and members of Ohio Citizens for Science applaud the Ohio State Board of Education for removing the creationist material from the State Standards and Model Curriculum.

We are pleased that Members of the Board have affirmed the importance of honest science education in Ohio public schools, and we stand ready to assist the Board however we can in advancing that effort.

We are still vigilant, as are our allies. Efforts to undermine excellent science education will not stop here, and as Kansas learned to its regret, relaxation can be dangerous. We urge the Board, the Ohio Department of Education, and concerned citizens to continue to work to improve Ohio's public schools.

Here is the text of the resolution approved by the Ohio Board of Education

Resolved, that the Superintendent of Public Instruction be, and she hereby is, directed to take the following actions immediately:

1) Delete the model lesson plan, Critical Analysis of Evolution, from the state board-approved curriculum and remove its availability from print sources, technology sources, and any other Ohio Board of Education/Ohio Department of Education mechanism that makes it available for use;

2) Delete the following sentences from Grade 10 Life Science Benchmark H: "Describe how scientists continue to investigate and critically analyze aspects of evolutionary theory. (The intent of this benchmark does not mandate the teaching or testing of intelligent design.)", and delete Indicator 23 in its entirety, and adjust all print sources, technology sources, and any other Ohio Board of Education/Ohio Department of Education documents to reflect the removal;

3) The Achievement Committee of the State Board of Education is charged to consider whether the deleted model lesson, Benchmark H and Indicator 23 should be replaced by a different lesson, benchmark, and indicator, and if so, to present any recommendation to the entire State Board for adoption;

4) Communicate the fact of the above actions to all public school superintendents and high school principals in Ohio.

Continue reading ...

February 12, 2006: Cleveland Free Times on Creationist Lesson Plan & Standards

Weird Science: How "Intelligent Design" Got A Toehold In Ohio Public Schools, and What's Being Done To Dislodge It

The Cleveland Free Times of February 1, 2006 had a cover story on the evolution of Ohio's creationist lesson plan and standards.

See Weird Science

February 7, 2006: » Science Standards Advisory Board Letter to Governor Taft: Creationist standards must go, says original committee

Members of the Ohio Science Standards Advisory Committee today called upon Ohio Governor Bob Taft to remove a benchmark, indicator and lesson from Ohio's science standards and endorsed curriculum. The material, they say, is "wholly without merit" and "embodies intelligent design creationism poorly concealed in scientific sounding jargon."

Continue reading ...

February 3, 2006: Lawrence Krauss at the Cleveland City Club

Lawrence Krauss of Case Western Reserve University spoke at the Cleveland City Club on February 3 about the evolution/ID issue.

You can see a video of the event on PBS (WVIZ) on Sunday morning (February 5) at 10 AM. You can also listen on Sunday at 11 AM on 1420 AM (WRMR)

February 3, 2006: » Press Release: Governor Taft Abandons Intelligent Design

Today's (Feb 3) Columbus Dispatch is reporting that Governor Taft has concluded that intelligent design should not be taught in Ohio schools. He has called for a legal review of the creationism-based model lesson plan to assess Ohio's vulnerability to a lawsuit.

He also said that he would look more closely at prospective appointees to the Ohio State Board of Education.

We welcome the Governor's actions, and hope that he follows through. We have one reservation. The "critically evaluate" benchmark, H23 in the 10th grade biology standards, is the product of intelligent design creationists, and was the gateway through which a writing team dominated by intelligent design creationists wedged the offending model lesson plan. The lesson plan is not the root problem. It is an implementation of a flawed benchmark that allows and encourages trash science in Ohio science classrooms.

Continue reading ...

Updates February 3, 5, 10 2006: Darwin Day: Eric Rothschild to Speak in Columbus, February 12, 2006

An Inside Look at the Dover Intelligent Design Case and What it Means for Ohio

Extra: Lead Plaintif Tammy Kitzmiller to Speak

Eric Rothschild, the lead ACLU attorney in the Dover PA creationism trial, will speak on An Inside Look at the Dover Intelligent Design Case and What it Means for Ohio at Tifereth Israel (1354 E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43203) on Sunday, February 12th, at 3 p.m. He will be accompanied by Tammy Kitzmiller, the lead plaintiff.

Also, Dr. Hillel Chiel, an Orthodox Jewish biologist from Case Western Reserve University will give a talk Religion vs Evolution: An Unnecessary Struggle for Survival.

A reception and discussion period will follow the talks. We are making arrangements for Rothschild and Kitzmiller to be available to the press.

The event is free and open to the public.

Why is this issue taking up so much of the time of the Ohio Board of Education? Why is the opposition to creationism so adamant that the Critical Analysis of Evoluton benchmark must be deleted? Come to the talk, bring your questions, and help us defend science education, and the separation of church and state, in Ohio.

3 p.m., Sunday, February 12, 2006
Tifereth Israel
1354 E. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43203

Co-sponsored by Ohio Citizens for Science and the National Council of Jewish Women-Columbus Section.

Download a pdf flyer advertising this event and distribute it as widely as possible.

January 27, 2006: Eric Rothschild to Speak in Columbus, February 12, 2006

An Inside Look at the Dover Intelligent Design Case and What it Means for Ohio

Eric Rothschild, the lead ACLU attorney in the Dover PA creationism trial, will speak on An Inside Look at the Dover Intelligent Design Case and What it Means for Ohio at Tifereth Israel (1354 E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43203) on Sunday, February 12th, at 3 p.m. Also, Dr. Hillel Chiel, an Orthodox Jewish biologist from Case Western Reserve University will give a talk Religion vs Evolution: An Unnecessary Struggle for Survival.

A reception and discussion period will follow the talks. It's free and open to the public.

Why is this issue taking up so much of the time of the Ohio Board of Education? Why is the opposition to creationism so adamant that the Critical Analysis of Evoluton benchmark must be deleted? Come to the talk, bring your questions, and help us defend science education, and the separation of church and state, in Ohio.

3 p.m., Sunday, February 12, 2006
Tifereth Israel
1354 E. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43203

Co-sponsored by Ohio Citizens for Science and the National Council of Jewish Women.

January 27, 2006: Profile of a Plaintiff - Tammy Kitzmiller
If you do speak up, you can make a change
She's the name in the news, but it wasn't about fame
CHRISTINA KAUFFMAN - The York Dispatch
http://www.yorkdispatch.com/local/ci_3435899
January 21, 2006: Genie Scott to Speak in Dayton, January 27, 2006

Creationism, Intelligent Design, Evolution - What Should We Teach?

The National Debate about the teaching of evolution continues to rage. School boards, communities, teachers, and parents grapple with questions such as: What does evolutionary biology teach us? What does it imply? Should creationism and intelligent design be taught as alternative explanations? Eugenie C. Scott, Ph.D., will discuss the scientific, educational, historical, legal, religious, and social aspects of this debate. Students, parents, teachers, and administrators will learn how to address questions and concerns about these thought-provoking topics

The author of Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction, Dr. Scott is Executive Director of the National Center for Science Education, a nonprofit organization based in Oakland, California, that works to educate the press and public about the creationism and evolution controversy and to promote rigorous science education. A former university professor, Dr. Scott has brought her insights as both a researcher and an activist to the creationism/evolution debate for over 20 years.

5:30 p.m.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Medical Sciences Auditorium
Wright State University

Lecture free and open to the public.

January 21, 2006: » Statement from the Authors of the Fordham Report: The State of State Science Standards

In December 2005, the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation released the report The State of State Science Standards, in which Ohio's science standards received a grade of B.

The study's principal author, Paul R. Gross, has issued the following statement:

In the recent report, “The State of State Science Standards” (Washington, DC: Thomas B. Fordham Institute, 2005), of which I am the lead author, we issued a grade of “B” for the Ohio standards. This was in recognition of documents unnecessarily long and with some errors, but dedicated, on the whole, to good and sufficient science content. My distinguished colleagues, members of the expert advisory committee, join me in the statement that follows.

The standards we reviewed present evolutionary biology well enough, and start it early enough, although the treatment is rather thin in relevant molecular genetics. In one benchmark, there is a mention of “critical analysis” of “aspects of evolutionary theory.” We gave Ohio the benefit of the doubt that such ordinarily innocuous words might raise in the current political climate. After all, modern evolutionary biology includes, in fact comprises, “critical analysis of evolutionary theory,” just as modern physics includes critical analysis of relativity and quantum theory. Serious science is a continuous critical analysis.

But the benefit of doubt we gave the benchmark may have been a mistake. Creationism-inspired “critical analysis” of evolutionary biology - as has been shown over and over again in the scientific literature, and recently in a Pennsylvania Federal Court - is neither serious criticism nor serious analysis. The newest version of creationism, so-called Intelligent Design (ID) theory, is no exception. Like its predecessors, it is neither critical nor analytic, nor has it made any contribution to the literature of science. Any suggestion that our “B” grade for Ohio’s standards endorses sham critiques of evolution, as offered by creationists, is false.

To the extent that model lessons are to be provided in Ohio as curricular guidance, lessons that refer favorably to, or incorporate, sham critiques of evolution, or bad science, or pseudo-science, the standards we reviewed are contradicted. That part of the state’s science education will be a failure. Moreover it will reflect badly on the entire standards undertaking, not just on biology and evolution. To devote scores of pages in the official standards to the principles of good science, and then to teach bad or pseudo-science in the classroom, is to defeat the very purpose of standards. If creationism-driven arguments become an authorized extension of Ohio’s K-12 science standards, then the standards will deserve a failing grade.

Paul R. Gross
University Professor of Life Sciences, emeritus
University of Virginia

The creationist lesson plan Critical Analysis of Evolution remains in Ohio's science curriculum, as a model for the science standards. The Fordham Foundation has not indicated that they plan to revise Ohio's grade in the report. But, based on the above statement by the authors of the report, the standards deserve a grade of F.

January 12, 2006: » Motion to Remove Creationist Lesson Plan Loses in a Close Vote

Updated March 3, 2007

A motion to remove the Critical Analysis of Evolution lesson plan from the science curriculum was defeated 8-9 at the Ohio Board of Education meeting on January 10, 2006. The motion was sponsored by District 2 board member Martha Wise, of Avon, Ohio. It was not originally on the agenda, but was added as an emergency measure because of the potential for litigation after the Kitzmiller v. Dover decision.

Here's how the school board members voted

Board members were informed of the records obtained by Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Most members seemed unaware that Ohio Department of Education staff scientists had labelled items in the lesson plan as lies and as religiously motivated. Board member Michael Cochran tried to claim this was only hearsay, but quickly fell silent when copies of the staff scientists' notes were passed around.

Several OCS members were present and spoke at the public participation session at the end of the meeting. Because the motion was not an agenda item, there was no opportunity for them to speak before the vote.

During the public participation session, anthropolgy professor and OCS member Jeff McKee spoke on behalf of the Senate of The Ohio State University. Board members Deborah Owens Fink and Michael Cochran took the opportunity to launch a vicious personal attack on Jeff. It was a disgraceful performance.

Another disgraceful performance: Board members Richard Baker and Michael Cochran showed their public disdain for the proceedings by ostentatiously reading newspapers during the proceedings. Fortunately, the Columbus Dispatch captured Baker in the act and plastered the picture on the front page of their January 11 edition:

Richard E. Baker, a member of the State Board of Education, displays his apparent lack of interest in arguments for changing the state's science standards being put forth by fellow board member Martha W. Wise. Baker, who later voted to maintain the current standards, did not speak during yesterday's afternoon session, choosing instead to read the newspaper throughout.
TOM DODGE | DISPATCH

We will be keeping the pressure on. Although it went against us, the creationists seemed to be rattled by the closeness of the vote. Deborah Owens-Fink in particular gave us some good quotes. She linked evolution to atheism and stated that evolution was singled out for critical analysis because "only evolution is taught dogmatically." This should prove useful if there's a trial.

Update

Here are audio files of the debate and public comments. (Links added to this article on March 3, 2007)

Board Debate, Part 1

Board Debate, Part 2

Public Comments, Part 1

Public Comments, Part 2

January 6, 2006: ACT NOW!

Ohio's board of education will meet next Tuesday Jan 10 in Columbus to decide whether to comply with the recent federal court ruling against intelligent-design creationism and its disingenuous "teach the controversy" ploy. The location is:

Conference Center
Ohio School for the Deaf
500 Morse Road
Columbus, Ohio

Please take two actions immediately to promote their compliance with the law and save the state of Ohio from a multimillion dollar lawsuit they will surely lose:

  • Plan to attend the meeting. You can arrive around 1pm and speak out in "Public commentary on non-action items", or you can arrive any time after 8 am, and plan to stay all day or any portion thereof. (Public comments might begin as early as 11 am)

  • Please write TODAY to board members and Attorney General Jim Petro

Demand that the board stop using the government to promote religion by damaging public understanding of science.

Ask Ohio's top lawyer, Attorney General Jim Petro, to stand up for Ohio's children, for freedom of religion, for science and industry, and for our future. Mr. Petro is in a unique position to understand the import of the ruling and to counsel the board accordingly. As a candidate for Governor, Petro should be eager to take a leadership position in his area of expertise. (See sample letter here.)

To get contact information for Board of Education members or Governor Taft, click on the Board of Education link at the top of this page. The following pdf file also conatins Board of Education Contact Information

The sample letter to Jim Petro includes contact information for the Attorney General.

January 6, 2006: Public Information Sessions, Followed by Discussion Panels on Ohio's Creationist Lesson Plan and The History and Impact of This Insult to Science and Religion

See why Ohio Department of Education's own scientists have called parts of this lesson "lies" and thinly veiled attempts to teach "Intelligent Design" Creationism in Ohio's Public Schools

Come Learn What You Can Do to Help Correct This!

Sunday, 8 January 2006, 7:00 PM
First Unitarian Universalist Church
93 W. Weiseheimer Rd.
Columbus, OH
(near the Park of Roses)

And

Monday, 9 January 2006, 7:00 PM
Embassy Suites Hotel
2700 Corporate Exchange Dr.
Columbus, OH
(near Cleveland Ave. and I-270)

Presented by Ohio Citizens for Science

Public Welcome and Invited
Admission is Free

Information (pdf files):
Dover-Ohio Comparisons
Dover-Ohio Comparisons: Highlights

January 6, 2006: The Collapse of Intelligent Design... Will the next Monkey Trial be in Ohio?

Ken Miller's Cleveland talk

See the webcast free online:
Windows Media Player
Real Player

Kenneth R. Miller, professor of biology at Brown University, author of the high school biology textbook Biology: The Living Science, and a witness in the recent court case over intelligent design in Dover, PA.

Case Western Reserve University hosted this talk on January 3, 2006, in Cleveland, Ohio. Kenneth R. Miller is professor of biology at Brown University and author of the high school biology textbook Biology: The Living Science. He was the lead witness in the recent court case over intelligent design in Dover, PA. ID was declared religion, not science, and is now prohibited.

Miller spoke on the scientific bankruptcy of intelligent design, and the implications of the recent Dover "Panda Trial" in Pennsylvania for Ohio's biology standards.

December 25, 2005: Debate

The Scientific Evidence of Intelligent Design

Kenneth R. Miller, professor of biology at Brown University, author of the high school biology textbook Biology: The Living Science, and a witness in the recent court case over Intelligent Design in Dover, PA.

We have word that Miller's intended opponent may not be able to make it. If he doesn't, Miller will still speak on the scientific bankruptcy of intelligent design, and the implications of the recent Dover "Panda Trial" in PA for Ohio's biology curriculum.

Tuesday, January 3, 7 p.m.
Strosacker Auditorium
Case Western University
Cleveland, Ohio

Free and open to the public

December 23, 2005: Debate

The Scientific Evidence of Intelligent Design

Kenneth R. Miller, professor of biology at Brown University, author of the high school biology textbook Biology: The Living Science, and a witness in the recent court case over Intelligent Design in Dover, PA; and

William Dembski, the Carl F. H. Henry Professor of Science and Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, and a senior fellow with the Discovery Institute.

Tuesday, January 3, 7 p.m.
Strosacker Auditorium
Case Western University
Cleveland, Ohio

Free and open to the public

December 20, 2005: Americans United and Ohio Citizens for Science Cast Critical Eye on Ohio's Evolution Model Lesson
Press Release
December 7, 2005: Challenge to Debate

We challenge the top "intelligent-designists" to a debate of the scientific evidence for intelligent design, to be held at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland the first week of January.

Patricia Princehouse, Department of Biology at Case Western Reserve University, has issued this challenge in the pages of USA Today

Here's the full text of her letter, written in response to a column by Cal Thomas and Bob Beckel.

See also this story at Panda's Thumb.

More information about this challenge will be posted as it comes available.

August 16th, 2005: Governor Taft Backed "Intelligent Design" Creationism

Emails show Taft's office manipulated Board of Education; suggest ties to larger movement to undermine the integrity and legitimacy of teacher education in Ohio at the service of the extreme Religious Right.

The August 16, 2005 edition of The Columbus Dispatch features a front-page story

Taft moved behind scenes to manage evolution debate
(This link requires paid registration with the Dispatch.)

Ohio Citizens for Science has isssued a Press Release giving more details:

On the heels of George W. Bush's declared support for teaching "intelligent-design" creationism, newly released public records confirm that Governor Bob Taft's office manipulated the Ohio Board of Education during the writing of the state's science standards. Taft's office orchestrated a compromise that resulted in the inclusion of the religious pseudoscience "intelligent-design" in Ohio's 10th-grade public school curriculum, and misrepresented Taft's role in the process.

"I always figured Taft was behind it. But until now, we didn't have any proof. Now we know Taft's office was negotiating directly with creationist board members while preventing his appointees from voting their consciences," said Patricia Princehouse, an evolutionary biologist at Case Western Reserve University, and a founding member of Ohio Citizens for Science.

Continue reading...

June 30th, 2005: Cobb County "Sticker" Case

In January, 2005, the U.S. District Court in Atlanta ordered the removal of evolution disclaimer stickers from biology textbooks in Cobb County, Georgia. An HTML version of the text of the decision is available at talkorigins.org.

The case is now before the U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. Ohio Citizens for Science has joined eleven other citizens groups in an amici curiae brief in this appeal. Click here for a pdf version of the brief.

June 30th, 2005: Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Postponed

Bryan Leonard, a candidate for a Ph.D. in Science Education at The Ohio State University, has had his dissertation defense postponed at the request of his advisor. Leonard's main research question is:

When students are taught the scientific data both supporting and challenging macroevolution, do they maintain or change their beliefs over time? What empirical, cognitive and/or social factors influence students' beliefs?

Leonard is principal author of the controversial lesson plan "Critical Analysis of Evolution" that was approved by the Ohio Board of Education in March 2004. He recently testified in hearings before the Kansas Board of Education about the lesson plan and his dissertation.

For a critique of the lesson plan, go to Lesson plan critique

Click here for a pdf version of Leonard's testimony.

Leonard's dissertation defense was postponed after questions were raised about the composition of his dissertation committee and about the ethics of misleading high school students about a fundamental principal of biology.

For more information, see the stories at The Panda's Thumb:

June 30, 2005: Request for Peer Review

The PowerPoint presentation Evolution and Creationism in Ohio's Public School Curriculum is presented in two parts: 1) science and religion, and 2) politics. The presentation provides an overview of events relevant to Ohio, with some specific examples from southwestern Ohio.

Part One, "science and religion" is built around Kelly Smith's short piece in RNCSE: Smith, K.C. (2000). Can Intelligent Design become respectable? Reports of the National Center for Science Education. v.20, no.4. July/August, 2000, pp. 40-43.

Part Two, "politics" summarizes a few important national events and then focuses on activities of the Ohio State Board of Education.

The PowerPoint presentation takes approximately two hours including questions along the way. Please refer to the speaker's notes in the presentation for additional details. For colleagues both in Ohio and beyond, this presentation is probably most useful as a resource to develop a presentation for your own audiences. The speaker's notes contain specific suggestions for modifications and revisions.

Comments and suggestions are invited. Contact:

Ted Scharf

tscharf@cinci.rr.com

January 30th, 2005: Darwin Day Events

In honor of Darwin's 196th birthday, February 12th, 2005:

October 20th, 2004: Symposium on Science and Religion

The conflict between science and religion, which gave rise to the anti-evolution "Critical Analysis" lesson plan, was examined at a symposium at Case Western Reserve University over the weekend of October 15-17, 2004.

The symposium title was "Evolution and God: 150 Years of Love and War Between Science and Religion." Its goal was to explore both the conflict and cohesion between evolutionary theory and religion, and to provide accurate information about the theological, historical & philosophical relations of evolutionary theory. This should help to counter the falsehoods spread by anti-evolution fundamentalists. Detailed information on the symposium and an order form for the video is in the symposium press release..

July 20th, 2004: State Board of Ed stonewalls on document requests

For 3 months, the Ohio Dept of Education has been delaying its response to requests by the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State for documents pertaining to the creationist lesson plan adopted by the Ohio Board of Education in March 2004.

At the July 12-13 Board meeting, elected Board member Martha Wise reproved the Department for the unconscionable delay not only on the Freedom of Information Act requests, but also on their delay in supplying her with key documents she requested in March. At the March meeting, the lesson was adopted in part because Deputy of Public Instruction Bobby Bowers claimed to have peer-reviewed scientific articles that supported the creationist claims made in the lesson plan. Thus far, the Dept has failed to produce the purported evidence.

ACLU Freedom of Information Act Request

AU Freedom of Information Act Request

Patricia Princehouse's remarks to the Board of Education, July 13th 2004

May 1st, 2004: Battle continues against creationist lesson plan

Since the Board of Education approved the flawed lesson plan "Critical Analysis of Evolution," OCS and others have continued to fight against it behind the scenes. The American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State have both filed Freedom of Information Act requests for documents, in preparation for possible legal action. Meanwhile, the debate continues in several newspapers' editorial pages, and OCS members and other citizens continue to try to convince the Board members to drop the illegal lesson plan.

ACLU Freedom of Information Act Request

AU Freedom of Information Act Request

March 12th, 2004: March 9th meeting ends in creationist victory
The March 9th Board of Education meeting ended in a victory for the creationists and a sad defeat for Ohio schoolchildren, as the Board voted to approve the flawed lesson plan "Critical Analysis of Evolution." More information

Several newspaper, radio, and TV reporters were present, and a number of news stories spread the news of Ohio's surrender to creationism far and wide.

Cincinnati Enquirer: Education board snubs scientists. Jim Borgman added his inimitable touch on Saturday March 13th.
Dayton Daily News: Evolution lesson plan approved
Mansfield News-Journal: State school board approves evolution lesson plan
Associated Press: Ohio School Board OKs Evolution Lesson
CNN Online: Ohio evolution lesson plan irks science groups

On March 13th, the German publication Suddeutsche Zeitung printed this article by their science editor, Dr. Patrick Illinger.

On March 15th, the Cincinnati Post printed this article: Science teachers wary; fear new lessons based on religion

March 7th, 2004: Upcoming vote is critical
The March 9th vote, for final approval of the 10-23 lesson plan, will be critical.
On March 7th, the Cincinnati Enquirer ran a Sunday news & opinion spread about the controversy over the lesson plan.

Members of Ohio Citizens for Science have taken a comprehensive look at the controversy over the flawed 10-23 lesson plan "Critical Analysis of Evolution." This guide to the controversy includes several analyses of different flaws that are in the approved lesson plan, as well as an alternate lesson plan which uses good science.

February 29th, 2004: More resources added to fight against flawed lesson plan
The fight against the flawed pro-creationism lesson plan continues to garner support and evidence.
OCS members have written an alternate lesson plan which uses strong science to teach students without opening a door for creationists.
Case Western Reserve University's student newspaper The Observer published a story which revealed Richard Baker, Vice President of the Board of Education, attacking scientists for their position on the flawed lesson plan. More information
The Ohio Academy of Science added its voice to the controversy with a letter to Governor Taft.

February 10th, 2004: Board of Education votes to approve flawed 10th-grade standards
On Tues Feb 10th, the Ohio Board of Education voted to approve the 10th-grade science standards as they currently stand. Thanks to OCS' efforts, the standards are much better than they might have been. Unfortunately, they still contain some elements derived from the Intelligent Design Creationism attacks on evolutionary theory.

The Feb 10th vote has drawn a lot of attention in the press and elsewhere:

Cincinnati Post editorial
Cleveland Plain Dealer: (Note: registration required)
Columbus Dispatch: (Note: registration required)
Dayton Daily News:
Toledo Blade news article
OCS's brief summary of problems with the approved Lesson Plan

Bruce Alberts of the National Academy of Sciences wrote a letter to the Ohio Board of Education criticizing the suggested lesson plan.

Wesley Elsberry posted a longer discussion of the Ohio controversy, with comprehensive links, on a discussion board at the website Antievolution.org. (A PDF version, without hyperlinks, can be found here.)

Geologist Thomas A. Baillieul wrote two analyses of parts of the suspect lesson plan:
December 10, 2002: Ohio says No to Intelligent Design

On Tues Dec 10, the Ohio Board of Education voted in standards that will teach a great deal of evolutionary theory, including recent developments in evolutionary biology. In a last minute move, they adopted an explicit statement against teaching Intelligent Design.
More info

October 15, 2002:

Associated Press: Evolution to be part of state science curriculum
Board of Education votes intent to adopt strong evolution program
Here is the version of the science standards tentatively approved by the Ohio Board of Education in October.
Final vote to take place in December.

October 11, 2002: What do Ohio scientists think about ID?

CWRU & Univ of Cincinnati polled Ohio scientists.

  • 90% say ID is NOT SCIENCE & should not be taught in schools.
  • 92% say evolution should be taught in schools.
  • 84% find evolution compatible with belief in God.
See article in the Cincinnati Post

March 27, 2002:

Editorial in the Akron Beacon Journal: Science + theology = education? Hardly.

March 25, 2002:

Editorial from the Daytona Beach News-Journal: Creative creationism: The dishonesty of 'intelligent design' theory.

March 16, 2002:

In-Depth Report On the Intelligent Design Debate:
A section in the Cleveland Plain Dealer with many articles, including "Curriculum Team Backs Evolution" and more.

February 24, 2002:

Article from the Plain Dealer Sunday Magazine: State Board Members on Teaching "Intelligent Design". The Ohio Board of Education will decide this year whether public school students should be taught only the theory of evolution, or evolution and a controversial alternative called "intelligent design." Here is where board members stand and how to reach them.

February 20, 2002:

Article from the Christian Science Monitor: Darwin or Design?.

February 17, 2002:

Article from the Columbus Dispatch: Evolution Debate - State board should reject pseudoscience.

February 15, 2002:

Article from the Columbus Dispatch: "Science Excellence" hides the real agenda.

February 5, 2002:

Article by Apoorva Handavilli from BioMwedNet News: Deja-vu for Darwinism in Ohio .

January 28, 2002:

Article from the Dayton Daily News: Assembly debates life's origins .

January 27, 2002:

Letters to the Editor from the Columbus Dispatch: Intelligent design unjustly kept from schoolchildren, Kansas lawyer John Calvert aruges for ID.

January 26, 2002:

Letters to the Editor from the Columbus Dispatch:

Intelligent design merits equal time.
Religion, science must be separate.
Creationists, be careful what you wish for.
January 25, 2002:

News Article from the ClevelandJewishNews.com: Battle for creationism moves to Ohio.

January 24, 2002:

News Article from the ThisWeeknews.com: Reidelbach wants schools to teach more than evolution .

January 24, 2002:

News Article from the ThisWeeknews.com: Freshmen proficiency scores sink, other grades rise on test . Science scores drop from 53% to 45%.

January 24, 2002:

News Article from the Columbus Dispatch: Lawmakers enter debate on science curriculum.

January 23, 2002:

Jeffrey K. McKee, OCS Supporter and associate professor of the Department of Anthropology, Ohio State University had a letter published in the Columbus Dispatch.

January 22, 2002:

Editorial from the Columbus Dispatch: Creationism doesn't belong in biology class .

January 18, 2002:

Editorial from The Cleveland Plain Dealer: Opening the door to far-out ideas .

January 16, 2002:

News Article from the Cleveland Plain Dealer: Education panel to get some tutoring .

January 16, 2002:

Reader opinions from the Cleveland Plain Dealer: Do you think students should study evolution along with other theories, such as intelligent design? .

January 16, 2002:

Editorial from the Cleveland Plain Dealer: Evolving Standards .

January 16, 2002:

Editorial from the Cleveland Plain Dealer: 'Creationism' discussion belongs in religion class .

January 15, 2002:

News Article from the Columbus Dispatch: Science-Standards proposal for teaching evolution in schools draws more fire .

January 15, 2002:

News Article from the Cleveland Plain Dealer: Evolution targeted in curriculum study .

Ohio Citizens for Science
Contact:
Patricia Princehouse
Department of Biology
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH 44106
216-368-8585, patricia@case.edu