Creationism vs. evolution central debate behind rejection of textbooks
2003-04-05
by Erin Hudson
of The Daily Times Staff
The Blount County Board of Education denied the adoption of three new biology textbooks because they teach evolution but do not cover creationism.
The vote to deny the texts passed by a 2-1 margin Thursday night. Four board members did not vote.
The three textbooks in question were not among the 37 science, consumer science, wellness and agriculture books adopted by the board.
Board members Mike Treadway and Jean Simerly voted to deny the texts and Don McNelly voted to approve them.
Board members Charles Finley, Bill Padgett, William ``Booty'' Miller and Don Talbott did not participate in the vote.
Treadway said he had reservations about the approach to the theory of evolution in the three texts. He said he does not want people to believe he is against evolution, but wants it to be taught as a theory along with creationism.
``With the overwhelming references to evolution, I don't feel comfortable with (adopting these texts),'' Treadway said.
Simerly said she is concerned with how evolution is approached in the selected biology texts, because creationism is not addressed.
``I do not believe that we evolved from anything other than human beings,'' she said.
McNelly said he shared those concerns, though he is not against evolution as a theory. Like Treadway, he said he believes students should be taught both creation and evolution theories.
``With creationism not presented as a theory, there's a large gaping hole in the books,'' McNelly said.
McNelly said he voted against the motion to reject the textbooks because he believes the teachers could address creationism when covering the material in class.
Technology supervisor Brian Bell, who is charged with assisting teachers in selecting new textbooks, said these three particular texts were those selected by the biology teachers at both high schools. Those texts are also on the state's list of books that can be adopted for use in the schools.
``The theory of evolution is covered in the Gateway exams, and the teachers have to address that,'' Bell told the board Thursday.
The current texts used in the biology classes in the county high schools also do not have references to creationism, Bell said Friday.
The next course of action would be for the matter to be taken back to science instructors at the high schools and have them write a curriculum that includes creation being taught beside evolution. With that curriculum in place, the board would be content to adopt the three texts, according to Bell.
The four nonvoting board members apparently were reluctant to get involved in the discussion with memories of the Scopes' Monkey Trial in the not so distant past.
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