Buckeye State Hosts Debate Over Evolution-Only Science Standards

'Intelligent Design' Advocates Call for Open Discussion of Darwin's Theory Seventy-seven years after the Scopes "Monkey Trial," the debate over public school science standards rages on. Now the State of Ohio has taken center stage.

Ohio's current science education standards contain the teaching of strict Darwinian evolution -- but no opposing theories. However, the standards committee has until September 27 to submit proposals for changes in the wording. Advocates of "intelligent design" are asking the state for a fair treatment of Darwinism, by allowing teachers to simply present the evidence for or against macro-evolution.

Jody Sjogren with Science Excellence for All Ohioans says her group is not lobbying to remove evolution from the classroom, as some claim.

"We'd like to have more information presented about evolution -- particularly the evidence that challenges certain scientific aspects of the theory," she says. "For instance, we'd like to see a full discussion of the embryology, fossil records, and evidence like that that is commonly used to support the theory of macro-evolution."

She explains that her group wants the state to include language in its science standards that would allow schools to teach alternatives to Darwin's theory of evolution. According to Sjogren, most Ohioans want the controversy over evolution to be taught.

"The Cleveland Plain Dealer back in June hired an independent polling agency, Mason-Dixon [Polling & Research], out of Washington, D.C., and when they did a poll of 1,500 Ohioans, they found that 59% wanted both intelligent design and evolution taught," she says.

At a standards committee meeting earlier this month, board member James Craig dismissed that poll, saying there was "nothing scientific" about that input from citizens. But fellow board member corrected Craig, saying indeed it was scientific -- and that Ohioans "who pay for education" want both theories taught.

In the coming months, the State of Ohio will be deciding whether Darwinism will remain the only theory about the origin of life taught to students. On October 15, the state school board will vote on any proposed changes to the current science education standards. And following a month of public input, the board will officially adopt any new standards at their December meeting.