Beyond Kansas to the nation

Kansas curriculum is focal point of wider struggle across nation

By Lisa Anderson
Tribune national correspondent
Published May 22, 2005


TOPEKA, Kan. -- Eighty years after the Scopes "Monkey Trial," the battle between
those who support the validity of biological evolution and those who oppose it
rages on in Kansas--and in more than a dozen other states around the country.


The controversy may appear to be simply about the teaching of science in the
classroom. But it represents a far more complex, widespread clash of politics,
religion, science and culture that transcends the borders of conservative,
so-called red states and their more liberal blue counterparts.


"This controversy is going to happen everywhere. It's going to happen in all 50
states. This controversy is not going away," said Jeff Tamblyn, 52, an owner of
Merriam, Kan.-based Origin Films, which is making a feature film about the
current fight over whether to introduce a more critical approach to evolution
in Kansas' school science standards.


So far in 2005, the issue of evolution has sparked at least 21 instances of
controversy on the local and/or state level in at least 18 states, according to
the National Center for Science Education, an Oakland-based non-profit
organization that defends the teaching of evolution in public schools. Although
such controversies have occurred regularly over the years, some attribute the
recent wave to the success of conservatives in 2004 elections.


At the national level, one attempt to diminish the prominence of evolution in
public school curricula and introduce alternative views came in the form of a
proposed amendment to the No Child Left Behind Act. Sponsored by Sen. Rick
Santorum (R-Pa.), the amendment suggested that evolution is in question among
scientists and recommended that a "full range of scientific views" be taught.
But it was cut from the bill.


Seeking to explain the passion that the issue often ignites, Tamblyn said:
"Partly, it's the mixture of religion and politics. If that doesn't get you
going, what does?"
------------------------------­-----


http://tinyurl.com/bkeha