State School Superintendent

Kathy Cox is standing firm by her decision to remove the word "evolution"

from Georgia's proposed new science curriculum, a move receiving

loud and fierce criticism from scientists, teachers and some� lawmakers

who say it will further tarnish Georgia's image as an educational

wasteland.

A petition drive late Thursday

had already attracted more than 1,000 names statewide, according to news

reports.

In a hastily arranged news

conference Thursday afternoon, Cox defended removal of the word "evolution,"

though she insisted that the theory of evolution will still be taught

starting in the earliest grades.

"The unfortunate truth

is that 'evolution' has become a controversial buzzword that

could prevent some from reading the proposed biology curriculum comprehensive

document with multiple scientific models woven throughout," Cox said

Thursday. "We don't want the public or our students to get stuck

on a word when the curriculum actually includes the most widely accepted

theories for biology."

Cox, a Republican from Peachtree

City and a member of Peachtree City United Methodist Church, insisted

the decision had nothing to do with her faith or pressures from religious

conservatives offended that the theory of evolution is often taught as

fact, though never proven.

She implored critics to go

online and read the changes themselves before forming an opinion.

"Ironically, people have

become upset about the exclusion of the word again, without having read

the document," Cox said.

The Department of Education's

Web site (www.gadoe.org) has features that allow teachers, students, parents

and others across the state to offer feedback and suggest change.

"If the public wishes

that changes be made, we will do so," Cox said.

Cox was scheduled to guest-teach

a class at McIntosh High School Friday afternoon, which was unchanged

as of press time. Cox taught social studies at McIntosh until resigning

in May of 2002 to run for the state's highest elected education post.

The changes to the science

terminology are just a part of the massive overhaul of the state-mandated

curriculum taught to every Georgia public school student.

Public review and revisions

of the new standards will continue through spring. The state Board of

Education is tentatively set to vote on passage in May, which is necessary

in order to start altering the methods and subject matter taught in the

earliest grades.

COX SAYS EVOLUTION WILL STILL

BE TAUGHT

While standing by her call

to leave the word "evolution" out of Georgia's proposed

new science teaching goals, State School Superintendent Kathy Cox insisted

the theory itself will still be taught:

- "Those who read

the draft of the science curriculum will find that the concepts of Darwinism,

adaptation, natural selection, mutation, and speciation are actually interwoven

throughout the standards at each grade level. Students will learn of the

succession through history of scientific models of change, such as those

of Lamarck, Malthus, Wallace, Buffone, and Darwin."

- "They will become

scientifically literate by learning the process of scientific inquiry

and seeing the way science changes as a result of new discoveries and

theories."

- "They will become

familiar with the development of living organisms and their changes over

time, including inherited characteristics that lead to survival of organisms

and their successive generations."

- "And they will

be prepared for college by having been exposed in detail to the models

that the scientific community currently embraces."

CURRICULUM ONLINE

The proposed Georgia curriculum

for kindergarten through grade 12 can be viewed at www.glc.k12.ga.us/spotlight/gps1.htm.

There is an online form for people to offer feedback.

The proposed biology standards

are based on the American Association for the Advancement of Science benchmarks.

Its complete approach to teaching evolution can be found at www.aaas.org/project2061/.

Back

to News Home Page |