The Views of Biology Teachers towards Teaching Evolution

In discussing Marco Rubio’s anti-science perspectives during the previous post, I mentioned Florida’s miserable (though improving) track record in regards to the teaching of evolution. As it turns out, the National Association of Biology Teachers has recently published the results of a survey which focused on the attitudes held by Florida’s biology teachers towards the teaching of evolution.

The survey’s data was derived from the responses of 353 Florida biology teachers; 28% of which taught biology in kindergarten through the fifth grade, 24% instructed biology in grades six through eight and 48% taught biology at the high school level (grades 9–12).


A Few of the Findings:
20% of Florida’s biology teachers are NOT COMFORTABLE with even INCLUDING evolution as a required science standard


17% of the teachers felt that biology COULD be taught and understood WITHOUT teaching evolution


17% DISAGREED that the earth is at least 4 billion years old (34% of those that disagreed believed that the earth is only between 4,000 and 40,000 years old)


34% felt that believing in God MEANS rejecting evolution


72% of the respondents reported that they HAD NEVER BEEN criticized by other teachers or school administrators in regards to HOW they taught evolution


44% of the teachers indicated that their teaching of evolution HAS BEEN criticized by students or parents


If the above numbers seem frightening consider this: The study’s respondents were solicited from the Building a Presence in Science (BaP) program of the National Science Teachers Association. Therefore, the numbers could be biased towards the "pro" science education end of the spectrum!!!


FOWLER and MEISELS (2010). Florida Teachers’ Attitudes about
Teaching Evolution The American Biology Teacher, 72 (2), 96-99 : 10.1525/abt.2010.72.2.8

Supporting Math and Science Education

President Obama speech regarding the math and science initiative.

-Good move!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Evolution and Sex Ed Optional in Florida and Texas School

The folks over at Florida Citizens for Science wrote about this yesterday; apparently, a State funded program available in Florida and Texas allows students (i.e. parents) to opt-out of classes which conflict with their mythological leanings, like classes dealing with evolution or sex education.

The Florida Virtual School is a government funded online program in which students in grades 6 through 12 can get credit for studying from home. It's nationally accessible component, the Florida Virtual Global School, is available in 44 states and 38 countries – though it’s most popular in Florida’s and its fundamentalist sister state, Texas.

The article “Christian working mom homeschools – on state's dime; Program allows full-time market analyst to reject evolution, sex ed assignments” breaks the story here.

Elaine McCall, principal of Florida Virtual Global Schools says:

"If you have a homeschooled student, we have alternative assignments or we would excuse the student from those assignments and they wouldn't be counted in the grade book…"

“[We] do accommodate Christian homeschoolers if the need should arise.”

As one ignorant parent explains:

When a biology project dealing with evolution was brought up in one of the classes, "I spoke to the teacher and told her we don't believe in evolution. We believe in creation,"
She further details, "I told her my daughter was going to do this assignment in terms of creationism, which she did. The teacher had no problem with it, and she got an 'A.'"

"My kids don't have to put up with bullying. They don't have to put up with indoctrination. They don't have to have sex education. We're allowed to pray all we want at home," she said. "It's really a lifesaver for Christian parents."

Well, I understand that parental “flexibility” is inherit within home schooling curricula, but in this case its endorsed and paid for by the government – and how in the world can a student get credit, much less an “A,” for putting together a creationist project for a biology class???

Scary stuff…

As with Florida Citizens for Science, I cordially invite you to join me in filling a complaint with this virtual school, that’s virtually not a school at all:

Florida Virtual School
Phone: 1-407-513-3587
Fax: 1-407-513-3480
Email: info@flvs.net
Toll Free Tech Support: 1-866-322-8324
Address: Suite 2002145 MetroCenter Blvd Orlando, FL 32835
Directions:Use the map below or click here for directions (pdf).

Academic Freedom Act Cartoon in Florida Newspaper

The Gainesville Sun posted an editorial and political cartoon criticizing the Education Academic Freedom Act bill filed in Florida.

Also blogged at Florida Citizens for Science.

Way to go Mary Bahr!







From Letter:

Imagine our society without computer networks, electronics, chemistry and modern medicine. Both our lives and economy would be greatly diminished. Biotechnology has created nearly 600 new businesses in medicine, the environment and agriculture in Florida with jobs that pay almost twice the State average. State economic adviser Enterprise Florida has labeled biotechnology a High Impact Industry and recommends legislators make sure we “provide students with the needed skills to work in biotechnology companies and market Florida as a hub for life science research and business development.”


Unfortunately At least one legislator has ignored Enterprise Florida’s advice. State Sen. Stephen Wise, of Clay County, is attacking science in Florida with his Critical Analysis bill SB 2396. Similar bills have been used to introduce Intelligent Design Creationism into science classrooms. Senator Wise recently reported in the Florida Times Union he wishes to do exactly that.


Leaders ranging from a Republican federal judge to the Pope have declared Intelligent Design a religious belief, not a scientific theory, making its introduction into a science classroom unconstitutional. In addition to irresponsibly putting our struggling school districts at risk of millions of dollars in law suits, Senator Wise is attacking the scientific basis of Florida’s Biotechnology economic expansion.


Biotechnology, which promises a more sustainable future, strategies to counteract climate change, medical benefits to prolong and enrich lives and high paying jobs, rests on the framework for modern biology known as the Scientific Theory of Evolution. Our new State Science Standards call for thorough examination of all aspects of science, but critical analysis does not include falsely claiming a religious belief as a scientific theory. Confusing Florida students about the nature of science will not lead to informed citizen scientists required for a prosperous future for Florida. Oppose Critical Analysis Bill SB 2396


Mary Bahr,


Gainesville

Atheist Files Lawsuit Against Illinois School

A federal judge has ruled that a state law requiring a moment of silence in public schools across Illinois is unconstitutional, saying it crosses the line separating church and state.

"The statute is a subtle effort to force students at impressionable ages to contemplate religion," U.S. District Judge Robert W. Gettleman said in his ruling Wednesday.

The ruling came in a lawsuit designed to bar schools from enforcing the Illinois Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act. It was filed by talk show host Rob Sherman, an outspoken atheist, and his daughter, Dawn, a high school student.

Gettleman's ruling was not a surprise. He had already ruled in favor of Sherman in two previous decisions.

As passed by the Illinois General Assembly, the law allows students to reflect on the day's activities rather than pray if that is their choice and defenders have said it therefore doesn't force religion on anyone.

But Gettleman backed critics such as the American Civil Liberties Union, who say the law is a thinly disguised effort to bring religion into the schools.

The "teacher is required to instruct her pupils, especially in the lower grades, about prayer and its meaning as well as the limitations on their 'reflection,'" Gettleman ruled.
"The plain language of the statute, therefore, suggests and intent to force the introduction of the concept of prayer into the schools," he said.

It remained unclear if Gettleman's decision would end the dispute or merely signal a fresh battle in a federal appeals court.

State Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Chicago, the chief sponsor of the legislation, said she hoped Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan would appeal.

"I strongly feel and I still believe that children should have a moment of silence at the beginning of the school day," she said in a telephone interview from Washington, D.C., where she celebrated the inauguration of President Obama.

Madigan spokeswoman Robin Ziegler said the attorney general was reviewing Gettleman's decision and would have no immediate further comment.

Adam Schwartz, senior staff counsel of the American Civil Liberties Union, said the organization was pleased with the decision "to strike down a statewide law that coerced children to pray as part of an organized activity in our public schools."

Last year, a federal court threw out a challenge to a 2003 Texas law that allows children to "reflect, pray, meditate or engage in any other silent activities" for one minute at the beginning of each school day.

U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn upheld the constitutionality of that law, concluding that "the primary effect of the statute is to institute a moment of silence, not to advance or inhibit religion."

Source: Here